They found him just in time.
Journalist Bárbara Henriques lives in a condominium in Brazil, right across from a grassy vacant lot that stretches about an acre. This open space is home to several southern lapwings, ground-nesting birds native to the region.
“Over the years, I’ve learned to recognize their calls,” Henriques told The Dodo.
But recently, she noticed a call that sounded unusual — different from the other lapwings. The sound was coming from a bird near a storm drain at the corner of the lot.
“I immediately knew something was wrong,” Henriques said.
Curious and concerned, she decided to investigate with her two young children — and what they discovered was unexpected.
Deep inside the storm drain, they found a baby lapwing, muddy and soaked from recent rains, unable to escape on its own. Realizing that her hands alone couldn’t reach the tiny bird, Henriques and her kids quickly went to a local store and bought a handled net.
Using the net, they carefully lifted the baby lapwing to safety. But the rescue didn’t stop there.
Back at home, Henriques gently used a hair dryer to warm the bird and dry its drenched feathers.
“Little by little, he started to come back to life,” she said.
Her children eagerly helped, enjoying every moment as the tiny lapwing slowly recovered. Within about 30 minutes, the baby bird was healthy and active again.
The family then took the lapwing outside and placed him on their lawn. It wasn’t long before a truly heartwarming reunion took place: the baby lapwing was back with its parent, completing the little bird’s day-long adventure.
“It was the perfect lesson in kindness for my kids,” Henriques reflected. “We’re a family of animal lovers, and seeing him returned safely to nature was the most important thing. When it comes to wildlife, understanding how to help without harming is key.”
This inspiring story highlights the importance of compassion, quick thinking, and family involvement in wildlife rescue, reminding us all that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.