'Celebrity' Jackdaw Richard is bringing joy to Thetford estate

A resident of a housing estate is sharing stories of her very unusual friendship with a Jackdaw.

Known locally as Richard, the inquisitive bird can usually be found on the Abbey Estate in Thetford.

He is so tame that he has often been pictured in houses, sitting on people's shoulders, or contentedly being stroked.

Julie Humphreys, who lives on the estate, explained that Richard has become 'a bit of a celebrity'.

She said: "For a long time I didn't see him, but I really wanted to meet him. Then one day in the summer, the kids were going mad, saying 'Richard's here.'

"He was literally perched on the window of our lounge having a little look in. My dog was going wild.

"Then he flew up to the top floor. I went out with my daughter but my son, Logan, sent a video of Richard in the room. He'd sat on Logan's leg for about an hour."

Julie went on to say that Richard is quite fond of 15-year-old Logan.

"He absolutely loves my son. He's one of the boys who hangs around the shops and I guess Richard must recognise him because when Logan's there he will just fly down and land on his shoulder.

"Logan will then walk around the estate with him."

Paul Stancliffe ornithologist and media manager for the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), said that Jackdaws were considered pets in years gone by.

He said: "In the past Jackdaws were often taken as pets as they can become quite tame and used to being close to a human 'owner' but it isn't something that just happens amongst wild Jackdaws.

"They have to be taken at a young age and tamed."

If you have an unlikely friend or unusual pet email: tamika.green@iliffepublishing to share your story.