A woman raised a sparrow as a housepet after she found the chick shivering on the pavement and they now love to cuddle - and even go on walks together.



Dr Manvi Tiwari, 26, spotted the tiny, featherless chick on the pavement on her way to the gym.

She had never cared for a bird before, but Manvi, a medical student at the time, couldn't resist taking it home.

Manvi, who lives in Delhi, India, said: "It was raining and she was very little and shivering."

She named the bird 'Muffin' and consulted with vets and experts on how to care for

it.

Manvi made a nest for the bird with blankets to simulate her mum being on top of her and used a heat lamp to warm her up.

She also used forceps and tweezers to feed the little bird every 30 minutes and, within a few weeks, Muffin's health started to improve.

Muffin began growing feathers about a month later and taught herself how to fly.

Manvi found the fledling in March 2021 and the two have been inseparable ever since.

She said: "It was destiny. That was the only time I've ever been at home for months. "

"She would sit there and hop all over me while I prepared for my exam."

"She's a very energetic bird. She taught herself to fly. "

"We would walk her outside and she would fly around and always come back. She's imprinted."

Now the two are inseparable. Muffin loves to cuddle Manvi and the pair often go on walks together.

Manvi said: "Muffin has always been a cuddly baby. She started showing affection at a very young age."

"She loves to sit on our shoulders and neck and try to cuddle, especially when she is sleepy."