A family in Amarillo who found an abandoned baby bird at their barbecue went beyond the call of duty and, quite literally, warmed it up Tex-Mex style. The Adlong family, while enjoying their weekend gathering, discovered the chilly little bird and sprang into creative action to ensure its survival. The family had initially reached out to the Wild West Wildlife Avatar Rehabilitation Center for guidance and were advised to place the bird in a box, according to an Express News report.
However, the family went one to cleverly improvise by grilling a tortilla and wrapping the bird to keep it warm. When the wildlife experts arrived, they were greeted by the sight of the young Mississippi kite—mistaken for a baby barn owl—ensconced comfortably in the warm, edible blanket. "Undoubtedly, it was an inventive method to keep the baby warm, and surprisingly, it was effective," the wildlife center acknowledged in a KENS 5 article. Social media users lavished attention on the story, with interactions numbering in the thousands.
The hatchling, now endearingly named Taquito by the rehabilitation center, is reportedly doing well following the rescue. The center, already overwhelmed with caring for animals affected by Hurricane Beryl, saw a wave of compassion as the story unfolded. Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is also supporting efforts in Houston, where the Houston SPCA's Wildlife Center of Texas has been inundated with over 1,600 animals injured due to the hurricane's impact. Pilots N Paws facilitated the transfer of hundreds of birds to Amarillo for better care and attention, as KENS 5 details in their coverage.
Groups like the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine are on the ground to help to manage the influx and rehabilitation of these birds. "It is a huge undertaking but with an amazing village, we can do big things," Wild West said in a declaration of community spirit. Donations have been solicited by the wildlife center to secure much-needed supplies such as food, medicine, and incubators for the numerous birds displaced and injured by the recent hurricane. Katie Lasher Adlong, who was part of the family that rescued the baby hawk, expressed her relief on social media: "I’m so glad our baby is doing well," she told Express News. "It was the most perfect little blanket for our little guy!"
