# Something to crow about… why charity chief Ian doesn’t mind getting the bird!

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/something-to-crow-about-why-charity-chief-ian-doesnt-mind-getting-the-bird/
- Published: 2026-11-07T17:53:58+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T18:04:17+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16274193/Something-crow-charity-chief-Ian-doesnt-mind-getting-bird.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Glasgow charity chief Ian Cumming befriended a crow called Joe.
- Joe now regularly perches on Cumming’s head during walks.
- Their friendship began with treats in a local park.

## Summary

Ian Cumming, chief executive of Erskine Veterans Charity, has struck up an unusual friendship with a wild crow he calls Joe, which regularly lands on his head during his morning walks in Glasgow. The bird’s growing trust has turned Cumming into an occasional human perch and brought him a thrill from close contact with wildlife.

The friendship began when Joe started taking dog treats from Cumming’s hand in a park where crows are known to scavenge food. Cumming, 57, a former RAF wing commander, says the crow first swooped near him and tugged at his hair before beginning to perch on his head. He says he can walk about 40 yards with Joe sitting there, and has become so accustomed to it that he sometimes forgets the bird is perched on him.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.