'Aggressive' crow brings gift to hospital worker

A woman has formed a bond with a crow that has been ruffling feathers outside a hospital.

The curious corvid, nicknamed "Russell Crow" after the New Zealand-born Gladiator actor, was acting aggressively towards workers at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Melony Lockhart, a clerical officer based in the hospital's pathology department, said the bird began warming to her after its chicks had flown the nest.

The 55-year-old said the crow even brought her a chocolate wrapper as a sign of their fledgling friendship.

Ms Lockhart, from Gedling in Nottinghamshire, said she first became aware of Russell after a notice in a staff monthly newsletter warned people about its behaviour.

"I'm an animal lover anyway, and I thought 'oh, I want to go and find this aggressive crow, I want to go and see what the deal is with him'," she said.

"I was on a little walk, and I found a crow, and I thought I [would] start feeding it, so I bought some nuts from the shop and I just started feeding the crow.

"I think the first time I fed the crow there was a baby with it - whether it was the mum or dad I'm not sure - and then [it] picked a couple of nuts off the floor, crushed them into the [other] bird's mouth.

"I thought that's why it's aggressive, it's got a baby and it doesn't like humans hanging around."

After winging it with naming the crow after the Oscar-winning actor, Ms Lockhart said she discovered it had a taste for cat biscuits, which she brought along with the nuts to feed it.

She said her generosity had been returned by Russell, whose gift of a chocolate wrapper was gratefully received.

"I'm not really an expert, but I have looked into crows quite a bit now, and they're very intelligent birds, and they are known for bringing gifts to people that feed them," she said.

"It's a nice thought, to think that you're getting something back - I'm feeding them regardless anyway, but it's nice to think that they might know who you are and bring you a little gift.

"If they start bringing me money instead, that would be more preferable to chocolate bar wrappers, but I'll take whatever they give me."

Though she sees the bird most days at work, Ms Lockhart leaves Russell to enjoy his hospital home, rather than adopting it herself.

"I've got a cat, I don't think she'd like that at all," she added.

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