Ian Cumming, the chief executive of Erskine Veterans Charity, has developed an unusual bond with a crow he has named Joe. The crow has taken to landing on Cumming's head during his morning walks in a Glasgow park.
The friendship began when Cumming, who lives in Glasgow, was walking his dogs and noticed some crows known for taking treats from pet owners. One crow grew bolder and started taking treats directly from Cumming's hand.
"I didn’t plan any of this," Cumming, 57, a former wing commander in the RAF, told the Daily Mail. "He just took to swooping over me and then gradually he would tap me on the head as he went past. He was pulling at my hair and hovering. A few weeks ago he started landing on my head and now he’ll sit on my head while I take treats out of my pocket."
Cumming finds it "a bit of a thrill" to have a wild animal show such trust. He can walk considerable distances with Joe perched on his head, seeking treats. The frequency of Joe's visits has become so routine that Cumming sometimes fails to notice when the crow lands on him, occasionally surprising bystanders.
Crows are widely recognized for their intelligence, a trait that may contribute to their complex interactions with humans.
