In Oregon, United States, Autumn Buck didn't think she'd turn her family's life upside down when she discovered two young crows in her garden. One was already dead, the other severely weakened and unable to move. She immediately decided to help the survivor, whom she named Russell.
Settled in a cosy basket with food, water and even a small basin, the crow began a slow recovery. Day after day, Autumn accompanied him through his first flight attempts, perching him on her fingers to encourage him to flap his wings and take off. These moments, filmed and shared on TikTok, touched over 450,000 people within days.
An unexpected friendship with Meeko the Border Collie
Whilst Russell was still struggling to regain his strength, he quickly found an unlikely ally: Meeko, the family's Border Collie. The dog soon became his protector... and best friend. The videos showed the two companions side by side, sharing a remarkable bond.
One moment particularly struck Autumn: the day Russell began playing fetch with Meeko. The crow would dart forward to catch a birthday cake-shaped toy, drop it on the ground, and let the dog retrieve it. A magical scene that moved viewers.
A free bird, but faithful
Today, Russell had regained his ability to fly. Yet he hadn't left Autumn's home. Each evening, he perched on the porch to say goodnight before heading to a nearby tree to sleep. And each morning, he returned, perched on his rescuer's shoulder or knee, seeking cuddles.
"Russ now lived like a wild bird, but he chose us as his family," Autumn concluded in the video, which also featured the household cat.
We hope this beautiful friendship continues to flourish!
