A bird in the hand: Robin who comes for breakfast
ENJOYING their regular early morning walk in the woods, Peter Hildick and his dog Cindy were not expecting company.
But then a particularly tame robin decided it would become part of their daily routine.
The tiny bird has been joining them ever since the morning last summer that Mr Hildick decided to proffer some food.
The 69-year-old artist was surprised to see the robin fly into his palm to help itself to some breakfast for its chicks.
Mr Hildick assumed the incident was a fluke but next day the same thing happened and an unlikely friendship began.
Now the robin, seemingly unperturbed by the presence of labrador Cindy, has become a fixture during the morning routine, hardly missing a day. It spends up to nine minutes perched on Mr Hildick’s hand as it feeds.
Passers-by on the woodland walk near Bugle in Cornwall, have become accustomed to seeing the robin with him – but others who have tried to lure the bird into their palms have been left disappointed.
‘I was a published wildlife artist for ten years, so I have always liked birds,’ said Mr Hildick, of St Austell. ‘People I meet down there are in awe when they see it.
‘Cindy knows now when I get into the area that the bird will appear. She comes to a standstill and watches. She isn’t at all worried. I get down the area and if he is not there I start taking some photographs and he appears next to me.’
As well as taking photographs, Mr Hildick has video clips of the bird feeding from his hand which he has posted online.
His daily offer of food occasionally attracts the attentions of another – much shyer – robin, which stays in his hand for only a matter of seconds before flying off.
Do you have a picture of a wild bird that eats out of your hand? Email birds@dailymail.co.uk