BBC Ashes’ star focused by big big-beaked chook which ‘nicked’ their breakfast
BBC Ashes presenter Eleanor Oldroyd watched on in amazement as a big-beaked bird swiped her scrambled eggs in the run-up to the second test match which starts later this week
Ashes’ presenter Eleanor Oldroyd got the bird Down Under – when a big-beaked ibis nicked her breakfast.
The BBC Radio 5 Live host was about to tuck into scrambled eggs on toast when the wading bird flew into the restaurant and hopped onto her table.
Eleanor, 63, watched in amazement as it wolfed down her eggs in front of her.
She compared the food raider to scavenging seagulls which regularly swipe holidaymakers’ chips in UK resorts.
Eleanor posted a picture of the bird on X captioned: “Forget seagulls, this was the ibis who nicked my scrambled eggs this morning as described on @bbc5live Breakfast.”
On Instagram she added a snap of a nearby sign which read: “Please do not feed the birds.”
She messaged: “Very determined breakfast visitor this morning.
“Clearly he didn’t read the sign.
“Australian white ibis, known as bin chickens, apparently…”
According to her account the attack happened in Brisbane where the England cricket team is preparing to play the second Test against hosts Australia.
The pictures delighted the sports broadcaster’s legion of fans.
One wrote: “Gosh! That’s a long beak. Obviously a bird with discerning taste.”
Another joked: “Staring into the ibis.”
One more wag added: “So when you said you were staying at the Ibis hotel what you meant was…”
Another said: “ Fantastic, what a privilege to see nature’s beauty up so close! Also probably the most BBC thing ‘an Ibis stole my scrambled egg!’ Keep up the good work, love the weekend brekkie show.”
Ibis experts said the birds – which usually use their giant down-curved bills to hunt for shellfish – are monster-munchers that will eat anything.
“They call them bin chickens in Australia – they steal everything,” wrote one.
Another said: “I’ve got 3 that visit here they start out coy & shy, then before u know it they are flicking on the kettle saying make me a brew.”
Most ibises are freshwater wetland birds that forage in marshes, ponds, lakes, and river banks.
But Australian white ibis also breeds extensively inside cities where it has become a focus of art, pop culture, and memes since adapting to urban life.
In 2017 it came second in an Australian bird of the year poll.
Three years ago Queensland sports minister Stirling Hinchliffe suggested the ibis as a potential mascot for the 2032 Olympics which are due to be held in Brisbane.
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