DAILY ROBIN VISITORS POPS IN OVER 1,000 TIMES FOR BREAKFAST
WITH PIX AND VID
By Shuk Yee Tsang
This man has struck up an extraordinary bond with a wild robin who has visited him for breakfast more than 1,000 times.
Max Ellis, from Teddington, London, has spent over 20 years capturing wildlife through his lens, but his latest companion, Royston III, has become more than just a subject.
The bird now hops onto his hand for mealworms, continuing a five-year tradition that began with the very first Royston during lockdown.
Max estimates the generations of robins carrying the same name have visited him well over 1,000 times.
The videos of his hand-fed bird have charmed viewers worldwide and sparked a wave of comments from people wishing they had a robin of their own.
Max said, “In my garden, Royston turns up for breakfast every day.
" I thought I’d make him work for his food, which he is more than willing to do. I wanted to demonstrate the basic steps that anyone can do to get a bird eating out of their hand.
“The first Royston came to cheer me up during lockdown when my wife was in hospital.
"I would sit on my roof terrace with coffee and notice a fledgling robin hopping about the plant pots.
"I started digging up worms and gained his trust.
“Everyone wants their own robin!
“He actually comes in through the window and stares at me until I come down.
“He flew straight to me and took a mealworm without hesitation.
I assume he is one of the chicks that must have seen me feeding his parents and recognised me.
"Oh also, if I’m late coming downstairs to feed him, he has worked out where I sleep and actually comes in through the window and stares at me until I come down."
END
