Feathered beasts left Hoda and Kathie Lee traumatized on Monday in an animal segment that was definitely for the birds.
The Fourth Hour anchors were paid visits by several endangered critters currently getting care at Sea World and Busch Gardens.
“Tell me when it’s over,” Hoda cried, turning away as a ground hornbill flew toward her and perched on an arm.
“He looks like he’s got my hairdo,” she said when she finally drew enough courage to peek at the massive bird and its tuft of spiky head feathers.
The bird apparently took a liking to being on-air because it refused to budge when it was time to move on to the next animal. Instead of flying to its handlers, the hornbill flew into the studio and perched on top of a camera. It then flew back toward the ladies.
Kathie Lee had her own fowl moment just minutes earlier. A puffin that had been calming resting in her hands suddenly went nuts trying to climb up her chest and onto her shoulder, wildly flapping its wings along the way.
The two birds cut short time left for the remaining animals featured, a cotton-topped tamarin and a tamandua, a form of anteater.