DAILY ROBIN VISITORS POPS IN OVER 1,000 TIMES FOR BREAKFAST <br />WITH PIX AND VID<br />By Shuk Yee Tsang<br />This man has struck up an extraordinary bond with a wild robin who has visited him for breakfast more than 1,000 times.<br />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.<br />The bird now hops onto his hand for mealworms, continuing a five-year tradition that began with the very first Royston during lockdown.<br /> Max estimates the generations of robins carrying the same name have visited him well over 1,000 times.<br />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.<br />Max said, “In my garden, Royston turns up for breakfast every day.<br /> <br />" 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.<br />“The first Royston came to cheer me up during lockdown when my wife was in hospital. <br />"I would sit on my roof terrace with coffee and notice a fledgling robin hopping about the plant pots. <br />"I started digging up worms and gained his trust.<br />“Everyone wants their own robin! <br />“He actually comes in through the window and stares at me until I come down.<br />“He flew straight to me and took a mealworm without hesitation. <br />I assume he is one of the chicks that must have seen me feeding his parents and recognised me.<br />"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."<br />END
