Rare Bird That “Didn’t Seem Like It Could Fly” Chilled on Kids’ High Chair at McDonald’s Tampines

It appears that pretty much everyone is currently riding on the McDonald’s hype, what with the re-release of the McGriddles, Chocolate Pie and Kit-Kat McFlurry yesterday.

But here’s the thing. By everyone, we genuinely mean everyone. 

Even the wildlife creatures are hyped, it seems.

Rare Bird That “Didn’t Seem Like It Could Fly” Chilled on Kids’ High Chair at McDonald’s Tampines

According to a user’s account in the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group, a gorgeous, rare bird was spotted in the equally elusive McDonald’s outlet in Tampines West – one day before the fateful arrival of McDonald’s diabetic trio.

Apparently, a delivery rider had picked up the bird – which seemed incapable of flying – and placed it in a kid’s high chair.

Described as a creature with a “very sharp beak”, the bird purportedly lunged at anyone who dared to go close to it. Though considering the circumstances, it’s not exactly incomprehensible to see such hostile behaviour.

Had I been picked up from the floor and placed in a kid’s high chair of all things, I would have probably gotten pretty cranky too.

Thereafter, the OP dialed the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), who expressed that they would come over after a case in Pasir Ris.

The bird had yet to move from its spot.

After an hour, an alleged uncle was brave enough to cross the forbidden threshold, where he held the bird’s neck and poured some water down its throat.

Evidently satiated and refreshed, the bird then spread its wings after twenty minutes – erasing all suspicions of an injury – and took off.

Identity

The OP ended her Facebook post with one single question:

“Btw what is this..?”

Well, as it turns out, the McDonald’s addict is none other than a Black Bittern – which is categorised as an “uncommon migrant” by Singapore Birds Project.

Apparently, they are most common in the Indian subcontinent and places like southern China, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia.

They also seem to be rather elusive creatures.

Over here in Singapore, you may have a chance of finding the species at natural destinations such as Singapore Botanic Gardens, Chinese Gardens, Pasir Ris Park and more.

ACRES has since confirmed the news, and stated that sightings of the birds tend to be more prevalent during the migratory season.

They added that members of the public should not attempt to intervene on their own. Instead, individuals should reach out to ACRES for advice.

Here is the rest of their statement in full:

“We get an increased number of calls for them during the migratory season. Unfortunately, they can be prone to window strikes, which often causes them to be stranded in residential areas.

“We understand that this individual managed to recover and fly off just as we were parking our vehicle. We urge the public to not handle these birds on their own and to call us for advise.

“If you find a stranded bird, feeding it with food or water is not advisable. The ACRES 24-hotline is 97837782.”

McDonald’s

Although the Black Bittern’s appearance at a McDonald’s outlet probably has more to do with a window strike than a craving for McGriddles, we can’t help but feel that its presence at such timing is more than a mere coincidence.

Perhaps it, like us, had caught a whiff of McDonald‘s latest revelation, and was keen to beat the queues for a taste of the forbidden trio.

But then again, we can only speculate.

In related news, the McGriddles will be available for a limited time from today onwards. You’ll be able to order the item throughout the day with three variants available for you to choose from — the Sausage McGriddles (from $4.50), the OG Sausage McGriddles with Egg (from $5.40) and the mouth-watering McGriddles Stack (from $6.20).

Meanwhile, the Chocolate Pie ($1.50) and KitKat McFlurry ($3.00) will be coming back as well.

Want two at one go? The McGriddles Feast (from $7.50) will satisfy all your cravings — a Sausage McGriddles® with Egg, Chocolate Pie, French-Fries (M) and Coke® Original Taste Less Sugar (M).

It will be available for both dine-in and delivery orders, even on GrabFood and foodpanda. McGriddles stickers will also be included with every purchase of a McGriddles Feast.

Image: Facebook (Mabel Tan)