Journalist Bárbara Henriques lives in a condo in Brazil across the street from a grassy vacant lot. The lot, roughly an acre in size, is home to a number of southern lapwings — ground-nesting birds native to the region.
“Over the years, I’ve come to recognize their calls,” Henriques told The Dodo.
But the other day, she heard a call that sounded a little different from the rest. It was coming from a lapwing standing near a storm drain on the corner of the lot.
“I knew there was trouble,” Henriques said.
Deciding to go take a closer look with her two young kids, Henrique then made a chance discovery.
Deep within the storm drain, the family spotted a baby lapwing, muddy and wet from recent rains and unable to escape on his own.
When Henriques realized it wasn’t possible to reach the desperate baby bird, she and her kids went to the store and bought a handled net.
And with that, they were able to lift the little lapwing to safety.
But as footage from the rescue shows, their efforts to help the bird didn’t end there.
Using a hair dryer, Henriques slowly warmed the cold baby bird and dried his soaking feathers.
“Little by little, he started to come back to life,” she said.
Henriques’ kids joined in on the process, delighting in the lapwing’s eventual recovery.
Returning the bird to a healthy state took about 30 minutes. But an even happier ending was soon to follow.
The family placed the baby lapwing outside on their lawn — and before long came the most heartwarming reunion.
The baby bird was now back with his parent, bringing his little saga that day to a close.
It was the perfect lesson on kindness for Henriques to share with her kids.
“We’re a family of animal lovers,” Henriques said. “For me, it was most important to see him returned to nature. That’s the most important thing when it comes to wildlife — understanding that we can help.”
Friends On Late Night Walk Save A Life After Hearing Cries Near Storm Drain”I’m glad we listened …”