A White House reporter was left stunned after a large bird landed on her head moments before she was about to go live on TV.
Kellie Meyer was preparing for her broadcast with NewsNation just before 7pm when the unexpected visitor swooped in.
Video shows Meyer patiently waiting for her cue before the bird flaps into frame and makes contact with her head.
The impact is so unexpected it almost prompts an F-bomb from the journalist, who begins exclaiming in disbelief.
‘I felt something land on my head and what felt like little claws, I turned around and thought I saw the bird/dove but could not believe it,’ she told KTLA5.
The clip shows Meyer outside the White House on Tuesday waiting to go live with anchor Leland Vittert.
Suddenly the feathered creature makes impact, digging its claws into her head.
‘Oh my god!’ Meyer exclaims, as she frantically tries to shake the bird off.
The animal then flies away, leaving a baffled Meyer wondering what has happened.
She touches her hand to her head and whips around to try and catch sight of it mouthing, ‘what the’ before stopping herself.
She lets out a startled laugh and rakes a hand through her hair before confirming she is okay.
In the background the bird can be seen swooping around as she continues to stifle her laughter and shake her head in disbelief.
She shared the post with her followers on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption: ‘I know there was a lot of news today but a bird landed on my head at the White House right before I went live.
‘He really just wanted to tune in. Our feeds room caught it and saved it of course for your viewing pleasure.’
She later confirmed that birds are frequently spotted around the White House North Lawn where many reporters do their live shots, but nothing like this has happened before.
‘I was just glad it could bring some happiness to folks and bring us together, especially in a place and time where things get so divided,’ she added.
‘I honestly haven’t stopped laughing about it since. Just reminds you to laugh, even when you’re covering some tough things.’
The commensurate professional was able to collect herself and deliver the broadcast as planned.