Our tame robin’s such a handsome little chap - video (From Worcester News)

Our tame robin’s such a handsome little chap - video

9:00am Thursday 10th December 2009

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THESE remarkable pictures show a wild robin happily taking food from a human hand.

The robin has befriended a group of Worcester City Council workers, regularly greeting their van and hopping inside their cab to share their lunch.

John Hancock, aged 40, senior arborist for the city council, has filmed and photographed the robin which visits him and his team every time they pull up at a Worcester yard.

For the last three years, the robin had landed on the driver’s wing mirror as soon as the truck, driven by Mr Hancock, pulls into the yard. He says that as soon as the door is open, the robin hops inside the truck.

Video footage filmed by Mr Hancock and posted on You Tube has already been viewed by more than 5,000 people. The three-man team, which does all the major tree work for the council, feeds the robin crumbs, biscuits – a particular favourite – and chicken nibblers, which he is also very keen on.

Mr Hancock said: “He sits with us from the moment we arrive to the moment we leave. He must hear the truck as we pull up, and he’s immediately sat on the wing mirror.

“We only stay for 10 to 15 minutes, check the trees, give him a quick feed and then we have to shoo him off.” While there is no way of knowing if it is the same robin, Mr Hancock thinks it’s likely as he is so tame and apparently recognises them when they pull up.

He said: “I asked someone about it and he told me that robins can live for about three years, so it’s nice to think it’s the same one that has been visiting us all this time.”

Louise Pedersen, from the RSPB, said it is not uncommon from robins to take food from people’s hands.

She added: “They are known as the gardener’s friend and will often come up to people for food once they have built up a relationship with someone.

“Robins are very territorial so it is very likely this is the same bird each time who knows it is safe.

“I have never heard of a robin coming into someone’s car for food though.”

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