It’s a mindset thing. I am sure I could recover too - did it a few times in service training etc.
But the difference to the sim is that there, you come into it from a scenario of expectation.
These guys (not saying they weren’t at fault...) probably had it in their face, while they were deep in thought about something else. Hesitate and the bird gets away and then, you’ve got to be on the ball and concentrate.
Easier to monitor properly in the first place, not to say safer.