In the performing arts world they say working with kids and/or animals invites chaos and should be avoided—particularly when the performance is live.
Unfortunately for sign language interpreter Mike Webb, the animals of Australia didn't seem to get that memo. An owl decided to crash a live news conference he was working by pooping on his face.
Yeah, we said on his face.
Footage of the incident soon hit social media.
Australian Sign Language interpreter, Mike Webb, received an unwelcome bombardment from above whilst he was signing mid-news conference when an owl defecated on his face and jacketpic.twitter.com/1vDXAxgS5t— Reuters (@Reuters) 1646822700
Webb was assisting as Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszcuk and deputy premier Steven Miles gave a live news conference and Q&A session. He stood to the side providing interpretation in Australian Sign Language as deputy premier Miles discussed flood subsidies with the media members present.
Mike, who is normally silent given his job is sign language interpretation, let out a swear word in the middle of interpreting, which caught Miles off guard until he turned around.
What deputy premier Miles couldn't see, but the camera captured perfectly, was Mike Webb getting splattered with a not-insubstantial amount of bird poo all over his hair, face and shoulder.
Ever the professional, Webb whipped off his jacket, wiped off his face—but missed the large chunk of owl poo in his hair—then got right back to interpreting.
Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk celebrated Mike Webb's fortitude on Twitter.
Nothing stops our fabulous Mikey.\n\nHe stands by my side, he stands by Queensland\u2019s side.\n\nBy the way, it was an owl pic.twitter.com/QPiqai5JSx— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@Annastacia Palaszczuk) 1646787263
Twitter is kind of obsessed with Mike ... and the owl—let's be honest.
The Owl Felt Too Much Action Was Going On Under His Tree.\nEwww Nasty!!\nOwls Eat Rodents!!\nI Feel Sorry For Him!!\nDisinfect Everything!!https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1501509349566418945\u00a0\u2026— joy2yah (@joy2yah) 1646823404
Auslan interpreter Mike Webb deftly handles another unexpected Queensland animal intrusion during a state government presserpic.twitter.com/9OtZ2G6ADD— @MartySilk (@@MartySilk) 1646786233
Mike is a hero to many Queenslanders; this is one more moment showing why.https://twitter.com/reuters/status/1501509349566418945\u00a0\u2026— Dr Sandra Antonelli (@Dr Sandra Antonelli) 1646822957
.... he continued , undeturd !— Keiron (@Keiron) 1646823956
Isn\u2019t this the guy the bird shat on while he was talking? Love our birds.https://youtu.be/tQbWAuYUZrA— Luana (@Luana) 1646889272
This is straight out of my nightmares https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1501509349566418945\u00a0\u2026— Kris Crawford (@Kris Crawford) 1646822796
Lots of cultures believe it's good luck for a bird to poop on you.
Maybe it's extra good luck if it's an XL splat?
He will get new clothes ,it is a belief in egypt when birds defecate on you , you get a new set of clotheshttps://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1501509349566418945\u00a0\u2026— Zeinobia is fully vaccinated \ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89 (@Zeinobia is fully vaccinated \ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89) 1646822883
That's good luck— Miboso (@Miboso) 1646846367
Oh well. At least he\u2019ll get good luck now! https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1501509349566418945\u00a0\u2026— Sacha Jones \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f\u2744\ufe0f (@Sacha Jones \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f\u2744\ufe0f) 1646824050
Mike handled the incident like a pro, finishing his task and then going to clean up and keep it moving.
Queensland premier Palaszcuk gave everyone an update the next day.
The new clothes prediction proved true!
Guess who won a meat tray last night!\n\nMikey had some good luck after yesterday\u2019s press conference. \n\nAnd he was back on the job this morning in a fresh suit.pic.twitter.com/pbQ3tSTTbb— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@Annastacia Palaszczuk) 1646877498
We'd like to take a moment to congratulate the owl for having impeccable aim and Mike Webb for having a great sense of humor about it all.
