Family uses warm tortilla to save orphaned bird of prey in Texas. ‘Genius solution’

A quick-thinking Texas family is being applauded after rescuing a cold, orphaned baby bird of prey using an unorthodox yet “genius” solution.

The family was spending the day outside at their home in the Panhandle, swimming and grilling, when it noticed a fuzzy little white hatchling plopped on the ground, cold and alone, the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center said in a July 13 Facebook post.

Wherever the hatchling’s mother or father were, they weren’t coming back, the family decided, so it took action, according to the center. In a moment of TexMex inspiration, the family fired up the grill, slapped a flour tortilla on, then wrapped the little orphan in the warm and edible makeshift blanket.

“Only in Texas and maybe Mexico,” the Amarillo-based rehab center said.

At first, the center was “a little concerned” for the bird’s safety when it received a call from the family and was told, “We wrapped him in a warm tortilla.” But after a rehab worker went to the home to get the bird and found it swaddled in pillowy safety, the center changed its view.

“Undoubtedly, it was an inventive method to keep the baby warm, and surprisingly, it was effective,” the center said.

The chick was believed to be a barn owl, but was later identified as a Mississippi kite, according to the center.

One day, the chick will outgrow tortillas — or at least most standard-size tortillas — as it blossoms into a “beautiful, falcon-like bird” with gray feathers, black tail and “deep red eyes,” according to Texas wildlife experts.

Mississippi kites feast on insects, small snakes, lizards, and other birds on occasion, experts say. “In flight, this bird is smooth, graceful, and buoyant,” though it’s unclear if they eat tortillas and, if so, if they prefer flour or corn.

Many commenters cheered the family for its ingenuity, with one person calling it “a genius solution.”

“I would also like to be wrapped in a warm tortilla,” said another. “Great idea!”

Others suggested names for the rescued “birdito,” including Tilla, Taco and Chorizo.

However, the wildlife center already named the bird Taquito, KHOU reported.

There are probably several lessons here, all good and heartwarming, but some commenters were most impressed by the versatility of tortillas. Could a hot dog bun have done the trick? A couple slices of sourdough? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe we’ll never know.

“Never. And I mean never … underestimate the power of a tortilla,” a commenter wrote.

McClatchy News reached out to the wildlife center on July 16 for an update on Taquito’s recovery and was awaiting a response.

This story was originally published July 16, 2024 at 10:30 AM with the headline "Family uses warm tortilla to save orphaned bird of prey in Texas. ‘Genius solution’."