Compassion in Action: A Person’s Efforts to Reunite a Little Bird with His Family

A Tawny Frogmouth chick from Australia found himself stranded on the ground, staring up at his nest high up in a tree. Being unable to fly, the chick remained where he was, seemingly worried that he would never be able to return to his nest.

Fortunately, a Good Samaritan noticed the stranded chick and promptly contacted WIRES, a local wildlife rescue organization. Upon arriving at the scene, rescuers were saddened to see the chick all alone but not surprised, given the common occurrence of chicks falling out of their nests.

“Tawny adults build a very basic nest, which can be quite flat and usually located in the fork of a tree or branch,” a WIRES representative states. “It’s not uncommon for [the] WIRES Rescue Office to receive calls for a chick that’s either toppled over the edge of a nest or possibly been blown off during stormy weather and strong winds.”

The rescuers carefully transported the tawny frogmouth chick to a carrier, where they could assess him for any injuries. Remarkably, the little bird seemed to have escaped any harm despite his traumatic experience. After a thorough examination, the chick was given a clean bill of health and was deemed fit to be returned to his nest. However, reuniting him with his family was no easy feat.

“It has to be determined if the parent birds are still nearby, as they may have abandoned the nest,” the WIRES representative shared. “The process of returning the chick needs to be done quietly and quickly to ensure the least stress to the parents. The other most difficult aspect is reaching hard-to-access nesting sites, which are often in very high trees.”

WIRES reached out to a local arborist for help in returning the chick to his nest. The arborist climbed up the tall tree, securing himself with ropes along the way. When he reached the top, he was relieved to see another chick, the rescued bird’s sibling, peering back at him. The arborist placed the tawny frogmouth chick back in the nest, and soon, the two siblings were reunited.

WIRES staff were overjoyed to see the rescued chick safely returned to his family and where he belonged.

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“It’s a thrilling and satisfying moment for every wildlife volunteer.”

WIRES was grateful that the Good Samaritan had called them and allowed them to help the stranded tawny frogmouth chick. The organization emphasized the importance of contacting wildlife rescue experts immediately if someone comes across an animal in distress. By doing so, they can ensure that the animal receives the care and attention it needs and increase its chances of survival.

“The first thing to remember is wild animals are not like pets and are likely to peck, bite and scratch, especially if they are injured. “It’s always best to call your nearest wildlife rescue group.”

It can be tempting to ignore an animal in distress and continue with one’s day. However, taking action and seeking help can be both rewarding and life-saving. 

For this tawny frogmouth chick and his family, the Good Samaritan’s call to WIRES made all the difference. 

It serves as a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness and compassion can have a significant impact on the lives of animals and the world around us.

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