A desperate search was launched for a "jealous" pet bird that ran away - when its owner proposed to his girlfriend.
Joe Greenwood, 29, from North Wales, adopted a rescued rook, named Fagin, after nursing him back to health and he went on to become part of the family.
However, his partner Jessica and their four children were left bereft after the bird went missing and offered a £200 reward for his discovery.
NorthWalesLive reported the appeal was shared on social media, scores of residents in Prestatyn in Denbighshire joined the search for Fagin.
The cheeky rook vanished after being spooked by a mobility scooter and, being hand-reared, his owners fear he'd struggle to survive in the wild.
The bird was eventually found four days later feasting on figs in a garden a quarter of a mile from home.
Thanking everyone for their help, Jessica quipped: “We keep saying he went off in a huff because he was jealous his dad proposed to me.
"None of us have really slept and we’ve been out since the crack of dawn looking (for him).”
Joe has been described as a real-life Kes character who found solace in birds after a troubled childhood.
He began rescuing injured and abandoned crows, rooks and magpies, and this summer established Helping Hand Corvid Rescue to raise money for his rehabilitation work.
Apart from Fagin, all rescued birds are eventually released back into the wild. Fagin, who helps Joe “teach” young fledglings how and what to eat, rarely strays far from home but was frightened away by a late-night encounter.
“A woman on a mobility scooter often calls to feed our cat even though it’s already been fed,” said Joe, a security guard.
“We thought our car alarm was sounding, so I went outside to see what was happening, followed by Fagin.
"At that point, a car with a noisy exhaust sped past and when the woman waved her arms in alarm, Fagin took off.”
Worried for the bird’s welfare, and unable to sleep properly, for the next four days Joe rose at 5am to scour the streets, accompanied by his 71-year-old mother.
When his appeal was shared on Facebook, local people began reporting possible sightings: one turned out to be a Cockatiel, another a crow called Midnight that Joe had revived and released earlier this summer.
Unable to search, a blind woman offered her prayers and a Sheffield resident extended best wishes.
All the while, Joe entertained few hopes of ever finding Fagin alive.
“We always said that if Fagin ever went into the wild, he’d never survive,” said Joe.
“He’s a bit daft and will happily walk up to a dog not knowing the danger.
“Even so, I took time off work and each morning I went out with a tub of waxworms. They’re his favourite - he’ll do anything for a waxworm.
"For four days I wandered around shouting 'Fagin!' at random birds – I probably didn’t come across as the sanest of people.
“I was on Morfa football field yesterday (Sunday) when I got the call to say he’d been found, eating figs in their garden.
"I was amazingly overwhelmed – I didn’t think I’ve ever run so fast to reach the car.”
Prestatyn’s residents shared his delight, especially those who had joined the search.
One woman wrote: “I, like a lot of people, no longer have to stop traffic to get out my car and stand staring up at a tree or telegraph pole shouting 'Fagin!'.
"My eyes are sore looking for him since he went missing. Thrilled he’s home being loved and spoiled. Made my week!”
Fagin was rescued as a chick three years ago and has been with the family ever since, often teasing the family dog and displaying incredible feats of intelligence.
He went missing just as Joe was about to pop the question to Jessica: despite his emotional turmoil at Fagin’s disappearance, he went ahead with the proposal anyway.
“She told me it wasn’t the most romantic proposal in the world,” admitted Joe.
“For some reason, I told her it wouldn’t be the same without Fagin, which earned me a stern look.
“Fagin has always been quite territorial and can get a bit jealous.
"If I put an arm around Jess when watching TV, he’ll give me a peck. If she hugs me when I get home from work, Jess might get a peck from Fagin.”
Now that Jessica has said “yes”, she will have to accept there will always be three in the marriage.
But she has laid down certain red lines over which Fagin cannot cross.
“We’re hoping to get married in the local church,” said Joe.
“I said it would be great if Fagin could carry the ring. But Jess said no way, he’ll probably disappear with the ring.”
Joe has paid Fagin’s finders the £200 he promised for the bird's safe return.
In turn, they have donated the money to Helping Hand Corvid Rescue.
