This is a common (now somewhat hackneyed) exhortation towards initiative, at least in English-speaking parts of North America that I am familiar with. The imagery is easily accessible: Most people have seen a bird of some kind solitarily gorging itself on a lawn full of creepy-crawlies. The bird will often become somewhat displeased when its compatriots arrive to share in the smorgasbord.
The phrase is particularly unpopular with that segment of society which is known as "night people". Morning is not a good time for some folks, and many find that the blind enthusiasm with which the phrase is often uttered to be at odds with their heavily-honed sense of cynicism.
What used to be the first softlink at the bottom of this node (The second mouse gets the cheese) is an excellent example of said cynicism.