This Guy Rescued A Baby Bird And Created A “Fake Mother” To Help It Survive

When a strong windstorm hit Serra, Espírito Santo, Brazil, Paulo Henrique never imagined he would become the caretaker of a newborn great kiskadee. On his way home from work on the morning of November 20th, he spotted the tiny bird lying on the ground, blown from its nest high atop an electricity pole. With no safe way to return him and worried that someone might harm the helpless chick, Paulo decided to take him home and give him a chance to survive.

Paulo’s creativity quickly turned the rescue into something remarkable. He built a warm, safe shelter for the chick and even crafted a “fake mother” to help feed him. Using matchsticks, glue, a sponge, cardboard, and dental floss, he created a small device that mimicked a mother bird’s beak. When he tested it, the chick immediately lifted his head, opened his beak, and began communicating with the improvised “mom,” a moment that melted the hearts of everyone who saw it online.

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Meet Paulo and a tiny great kiskadee whose life he recently saved

Man holding a rescued great kiskadee bird and a handmade mini bird mom crafted from cardboard and decorative materials.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

We reached out to Paulo and asked him to share more about how he found the chick and what inspired his creative feeding solution. He explained: “On the morning of November 20th, we were coming back from work. As we arrived at the gate of our building, we saw the baby bird lying on the ground. Above him, there is an energy pole where the nest is located. He probably fell because of the strong wind, since that day there was a big windstorm with very strong gusts. We could not put him back because the nest was too high. We also worried that, since many people pass through that area, someone might harm him. So we decided to take him home. We placed him in a small basin and started taking care of him.”

On a windy morning in Serra, Brazil, Paulo spotted the chick lying helpless on the ground, blown from its nest high atop an electricity pole

Young great kiskadee bird sitting on green grass in an urban area after being rescued and cared for.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Great Kiskadee bird resting on grass in front of apartment buildings on a sunny day after rescue and care.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Paulo’s creativity quickly turned the rescue into something remarkable. “First, I made a small handle using wooden matchsticks, gluing them together with quick-drying glue. Then, I used dental floss to wrap the moving parts and secure them in place. I made a stick similar to a chopstick and added a sponge to work as a little spring. Then I started picking up food and feeding him,” he explains. “Later, I remembered a video on Instagram from a veterinary clinic where they fed a toucan using a fake toucan beak, and it worked perfectly. That inspired me. I grabbed a supermarket flyer, cut some pieces of sponge, put them inside, and shaped everything with glue. I added two little eyes made of black paper and created a cardboard beak that looked like his mother’s. I attached it to the clip where I hold the food. When I tested it, I got close to him, and he immediately lifted his head, opened his beak, and started communicating with the ‘mother.’ He reacted to the feeding call, and that is how the video happened.”

Utility pole with electrical transformer and bird nest, highlighting rescue of Great Kiskadee and mini bird mom creation.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

With no safe way to return it and worried someone might harm the bird, Paulo decided to take the chick home

Young great kiskadee bird on grass near a handmade mini bird shelter in an urban outdoor setting.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Paulo also shared how rewarding – and at times worrying – it has been to watch the chick grow: “Sometimes I get a bit worried, wondering if I am doing everything correctly, since he is a wild animal and there is always someone who might say it is not the ideal procedure. Because of that, I have been studying his natural diet, which includes insects, small amounts of meat, fruits, and similar foods.”

Man holding a rescued Great Kiskadee bird on his hand outside apartment buildings on a sunny day

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

He placed the tiny bird in a small basin and started providing care, determined to give it a fighting chance

Rescued great kiskadee bird nestled inside a glittery mini bird mom in an urban parking area under clear blue sky.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Looking toward the future, Paulo has a clear plan for the little bird: “My future plan is to raise him until he becomes strong enough to fly and survive on his own in nature. But if, for some reason, he does not want to leave and chooses to stay with us, I am thinking about registering him and creating a space where he can live freely. If later he decides to fly away, he will be able to. Those are the plans for his future.”

Paulo didn’t stop there – he built a warm little shelter to keep the bird safe and comfortable

A rescued young great kiskadee bird resting inside a handmade mini bird nest filled with dry leaves in a hallway.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Two men taking a selfie in elevator holding a rescued great kiskadee bird on hand close to the camera.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Close-up of a great kiskadee perched on a person's finger after being rescued and cared for indoors.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

To make feeding easier, he crafted a “fake mother” using matchsticks, glue, a sponge, cardboard, and dental floss

Hand holding a handmade mini bird mom crafted for a rescued great kiskadee with cardboard wings and yellow fluffy body.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Hand holding a handmade mini bird mom crafted from cardboard and fabric resembling a great kiskadee bird.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Inspired by a veterinary clinic video showing a toucan being fed with a fake beak, Paulo created a device that mimicked a mother bird’s beak

Hand holding a handmade cardboard mini bird used as a bird mom for rescuing a great kiskadee.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

When he tried it, the chick immediately lifted its head, opened its beak, and began responding as if its mother were there – a truly heartwarming moment

Great Kiskadee bird chick inside a glittery nest being fed with a mini handmade bird mom figure on a stick.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Paulo carefully studied the bird’s natural diet, feeding it insects, fruit, and other foods to ensure proper growth and health

Hand feeding a rescued Great Kiskadee chick inside an orange container with cotton for comfort.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Rescued great kiskadee bird inside glittery golden nest with homemade mini bird mom in indoor setting.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

Hand feeding a rescued Great Kiskadee inside a glittery gold mini bird mom nest on a tiled floor.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

As the chick grows stronger, Paulo’s goal is clear: to raise it until it can fly and survive in the wild

A rescued great kiskadee bird resting on a towel while a finger gently touches its beak.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

But he also prepared for the possibility that the bird might choose to stay nearby, ready to create a safe, free space for it to live

Great Kiskadee bird resting inside a soft mini bird nest built as a bird mom rescue shelter.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

A simple act of kindness and creativity turned into a viral story, inspiring people worldwide with the power of care, ingenuity, and love for wildlife

Man holding a rescued great kiskadee bird and a mini bird mom model, wearing a black cap and sports jersey.

Image credits: paulohumor_ofc

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