‘He inspired me to set up a sanctuary’
Helen Motteram, 38, lives in Cheltenham.
It was a miracle I spotted him that day. A tiny baby rook, nestled in the doorway of a shop on a busy street, squawking softly as if calling for help.
There was no sign of a mummy bird or nest and I couldn’t leave him there to perish, so I took him home. Naming him Russell, I made a nest in an open parrot cage and we bonded quickly.
I had suffered from OCD and eating disorders in my past, but Russell could make me laugh, stealing the remote control, posing for selfies. I even trained him to play puzzle games. He’d peck my husband Tristan if he got too near me!
Now Russell lives in a beautiful aviary in our garden where he enjoys the company of other birds.
He inspired me to set up Russell’s Rescue and I’ve since taken in hundreds of rooks, crows, jackdaws and magpies. I’ve even published two children’s storybooks about Russell. He makes the bad times good and the good times even better.