On a quiet farm in Muscat, an unusual friendship has captivated the attention of many. Nader al Aufi, a prominent Omani animal trainer and behaviourist, is best known as the founder of SPK9 Oman, a dog boarding and training facility. While Nader has built a strong reputation working with dogs across the Sultanate of Oman, it’s his unexpected bond with a raven named Odin that has recently stirred curiosity and admiration alike.
Unlike most wild birds that leave as soon as they gain independence, Odin has chosen to stay, forging a deep connection with the man who raised him — not through force, but through trust.
The story began when one of Nader’s friends, an adventurer known for scaling mountains in search of rare herbs and wild honey, stumbled upon four abandoned crow chicks after a heavy rainstorm. Many young birds do not survive such events, as their nests are washed away, leaving them vulnerable to predators.
Aware of Nader’s fascination with crows and ravens, his friend called him with an offer: “I have four of them. Do you want them?”
“Yes,” Nader replied without hesitation.
Growing up in Wadi Kabir during the 1990s, Nader would spend hours watching crows perch on rooftops. Over time, their numbers dwindled due to pest control measures. Although he had never raised one before, his interest in corvids never faded.
Unsure how to care for the fledglings, he contacted international wildlife rescue organisations for guidance. Oman had no dedicated rehabilitation centre for crows or ravens, so he relied on advice from foreign experts on proper feeding, shelter and care.
True to his training philosophy, Nader avoided cages. Instead, he built a large box on his balcony to mimic a nest. He fed the chicks four times a day using adult dog food for its balanced nutrition and gradually introduced them to the outdoors.
At first, they hesitated to fly, sitting on the railing and gazing at the horizon. Eventually, they began to explore the farm, flying with Nader. After six months, three of the birds left for good. But one stayed.
Odin — the largest and slowest to fly — had a commanding presence. The others instinctively followed him. He ate first, perched on Nader’s shoulder when called, and when the others departed, Odin would follow briefly but always returned.
Wildlife experts informed Nader that this was highly unusual. Once ravens become independent, they rarely stay with humans. Yet Odin defied expectations. Each day, he had the choice to leave, yet he always came back.
Nader, who has trained dogs for years using positive reinforcement and choice-based methods, recognised the significance of this. “You can’t make a raven stay,” he said. “You can only invite him.”
On days when Nader withheld food to encourage Odin to forage, Odin would not only find his own meals but also bring food back to Nader.
“Don’t ask what he brings,” Nader laughed. “Little offerings from his hunts — things I’d rather not keep. But if I try to get rid of them, he just brings them back.”
Odin is not a crow but a raven — a close relative. Both belong to the Corvidae family, known for their extraordinary intelligence and social complexity. While crows often gather in large groups, ravens tend to be more solitary or live in pairs.
Crows and ravens are known to use tools, solve puzzles, plan for the future, and even engage in what researchers term “corvid justice.” “They have a court,” Nader explained. “If a crow breaks social rules — like stealing from a nest — others will punish it, sometimes by chasing it off or plucking its feathers.”
Even science supports their legendary memory. Crows and ravens can recognise individual human faces for years, passing this knowledge down to future generations.
Today, Odin continues to embody this legacy — a wild creature of memory, loyalty, and choice. Now over a year old, Odin has a new companion: Loki, a young raven rescued from the same mountainous region. Nader is raising Loki to participate in school visits and wildlife awareness programmes. Loki is being trained with the same positive reinforcement methods that guided Nader’s work with hundreds of dogs.
Odin, however, remains the free spirit. Some of his former companions return, circling above when he calls. But even when they attempt to lure him away, he seldom stays long. Each day, Odin chooses — to leave or to stay.
For now, he always stays. “I don’t know what the future holds,” Nader reflects. “Maybe one day he’ll leave. Maybe he won’t. But I won’t force him. It has to be his choice.”
And for now, the raven’s heart remains.
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