They hang out together every day.
A few years ago, Christian Rosenberg stumbled upon a frail, undernourished crow lying outside his workplace in Denmark. With no wildlife rehabbers reachable at the time, he and his girlfriend, Lærke Jensen, made a quick decision — they brought the struggling bird home.
The couple had no idea what to expect, but they couldn’t bear to leave the animal behind. As they nursed the crow back to health, something unexpected began to unfold: the bird wasn’t just healing — he was bonding.
To their surprise, the crow, whom they later named Russell (a nod to Russell Crowe), took a particular liking to their toddler, Otto.
“I never imagined crows could be so affectionate,” Jensen said.
Once Russell had regained his strength, the couple set him free, assuming he would fly off for good. But Russell had other plans.
“Even after we let him go, he chose to stay close,” Jensen explained. “Now, he visits us daily — he’s part of the family.”
What began as a rescue turned into an unlikely friendship. Every day, Russell eagerly awaits Otto’s return from kindergarten, often perched on the roof, keeping watch.
“When we get home, Russell is usually already there,” Jensen said. “It’s like he’s waiting to welcome Otto back.”
Their bond is nothing short of magical. The pair spend their afternoons riding tricycles, sharing snacks, and even relaxing in front of the TV together.
“They’re inseparable,” Jensen added. “It’s something really special.”
While most children grow up with a dog or a cat as their loyal sidekick, Otto has something entirely different — a clever, devoted crow who chose friendship over freedom.
“Russell gives us a connection to the natural world that’s rare,” Jensen said. “It’s a gift we never expected.”