The smell of barbecue filled the air in Amarillo as a family gathered in their backyard. They were laughing and talking, enjoying the Texas sunshine.
Suddenly, they noticed something on the ground. When they approached closer, they realized it was a tiny bird.
They started to worry when they saw that the small animal was shivering.
Without thinking, the mom grabbed a tortilla from the table. She carefully heated the tortilla on the grill and then, with a clever idea, she wrapped the bird in it and waited for help to come.
Luckily, the right family found the little bird, which turned out to be a baby Mississippi kite. It’s dangerous for young birds to leave their nests too soon, especially with Hurricane Beryl causing a lot of problems for wildlife in Houston.
But thanks to the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and the team of volunteers and students from Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, these animals are getting the help they need.
When they arrived, they couldn’t believe how fast the mom came up with a solution, which they posted about on Facebook:
“Undoubtedly, it was an inventive method to keep the baby warm, and surprisingly, it was effective. Wildlife rescue is always filled with lively and unexpected moments.”
The Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center of Texas also sent over 100 egrets and many doves affected by the hurricane, and pilots flew them across the state. It’s really nice to see everyone working together to help the animals in need.
Now, the little bird, lovingly called Taquito, is doing okay. But, losing their homes and facing harsh weather like hurricanes can be really bad for animals.
However, there is still some hope. A kind family acted fast, wildlife centers worked hard, and volunteers teamed up – all to give these fragile creatures a shot at not just living, but flourishing. Thank you!