By Sarah Newstead

Last updated 10:21, Monday, 19 May 2008

A TALKING crow rules the roost at Wetheral’s Animal Refuge near Carlisle.

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Joe the talking crow at the Animal Refuge

Joe Crow draws crowds of children and adults alike to his aviary where he greets them with a cheeky “hello”.

Joe, who was brought to the refuge when he was found injured around 20 years ago, can also imitate his doggie neighbours with a “wa wa” woof.

Outdoor manager John Logan told the News & Star his theory about how Joe learnt to talk.

He said: “First we had a magpie in with Joe and he talked. He would say ‘what time is it?’.

“But he died of old age. Then Joe started talking.

“I think he got the ‘wa wa’ because he heard the dogs barking and this is his version of it.

“Once he started doing that, people would come over to hear him and say ‘hello’ – so he picked that up.”

Joe has had a few naughty escapades in his time at the refuge. He once escaped from his aviary and made his way to the former Cotehill School around two miles away.

John said: “He flew over there and into the playground and was nicking the children’s crisps!”

Joe also has a habit of dive-bombing any women who come into range.

“He used to attack them. He would fly on to their heads and peck their hair!” he said.

But Joe has calmed down in his old age according to John, who the canny crow lets tickle his head and feed him by hand.

Joe can never be released because he is so used to people, but he now peacefully shares his aviary with ducks and rabbits.

The Animal Refuge is a registered charity based at Oak Tree Farm, Wetheral Shields, and has been protecting all kinds of animals for almost 100 years.

SNewstead@cngroup.co.uk