Hey Joburg, there’s a rising star in our city, and she’s not who you’d expect. Meet Hardy, a semi-domesticated Hadada ibis (or hadeda, as locals know them), who has taken the internet by storm and stolen our hearts.
Hardy belongs to Nicole McDonald, a Johannesburg local and autoimmune disease warrior, who has been sharing the sweetest, quirkiest moments with her feathered companion online. Since introducing Hardy to the world, Nicole’s posts have been winning fans far and wide, with some clips racking up over 8,000 likes on TikTok.
It looks like Hardy might just be Joburg’s, and maybe the world’s, most famous Hadada ibis.
Here are some of our favourite clips to brighten your day:
@nyx_mcd Replying to @thabimasinga ♬ original sound - Headbangers Dan
@nyx_mcd Replying to @namaste2_Hardy brought some friends over today. Spot the jump scare! 😅 Plus, some Hadeda ASMR for her fans. #hardythehadeda #hadeda #asmr #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦 ♬ original sound - Headbangers Dan
In another heart-warming video, Nicole feeds Hardy while showering her with compliments.
"Hello, beautiful lady. You are becoming famous on TikTok," Nicole says to Hardy as she feeds her. The video melted the hearts of many, including ours.
@nyx_mcd Replying to @earthsgreatestninja23 Future historians will look back on this video and blame me for the domestication of hadedas. 😅🥰 #hadeda ♬ som original - LK 𝐋𝐔𝐊𝐢 🎵🎧
Another recent TikTok captures a sweet moment between Nicole and Hardy, as she playfully holds the ibis by its beak.
" Big breakthrough with my semi-tame queen today. 🐦 She let me hold her beak!"
@nyx_mcd Big breakthrough with my semi-tame queen today. 🐦 She let me hold her beak! #hardythehadeda #hadeda #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦 ♬ original sound - Headbangers Dan
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