Susan Hickman’s summer walk in 2014 took an unexpected turn when she noticed a cracked shell on the ground. At first, she considered moving on, but something prompted her to investigate further. To her surprise, she found a baby bird inside with closed eyes and no feathers, indicating its vulnerability. Despite looking for a nest nearby, Susan could not find one and realized that the bird needed help to survive.
Susan, aware of the challenges involved in raising a newborn bird, took over the responsibility of caring for the young. This included feeding every 20 to 30 minutes from sunrise to sunset for the first few weeks. Despite the difficulty of the task, Susan’s determination and emotional connection to the bird she named Klinger kept her going.
With Susan’s devoted care, Klinger gradually grew stronger and healthier. His transformation from a frail, featherless chick to a majestic bird was remarkable. During his recovery, Klinger became a valued member of Susan’s family, bringing her joy and receiving love and attention in return.
While walking one day in the summer of 2014, Susan Hickman noticed something. She noticed the eggshell cracked on the ground.
Susan almost continued on, but for some reason, she decided to stop and look inside.
To her amazement there was!
Susan discovered a baby bird inside when she peered inside. His eyes were closed and he had no feathers.
Susan looked around for a nest but couldn’t find one.
Susan decided to try to save the chick, realizing that if she left it there, it wouldn’t live on its own.
However, raising a newborn bird is not an easy task.
For the first two weeks, Susan had to feed the bird every 20 to 30 minutes from sunrise to sunset.
Although it was a laborious process, Susan persisted. She had a deep emotional connection with the chick and gave him some nutrients with a small medicine dropper.
The bird proved to be a true fighter and made it through the first day.
And the day after that too.
Susan called him Klinger for short.
He opened his eyes.
It has feathers.
…and in time evolved into a large, majestic bird.
What a change!
Klinger became an integral member of the family during his recovery.
He made Susan happy and got lots of love and attention in return.
When Klinger reached the right size, Susan, a passionate animal lover, decided to return him to the wild.
But she also noticed that Klinger had tamed down. He would not have survived on his own and was completely unfit for life in the wild.
Susan concluded that Klinger must be with her.
And Klinger doesn’t seem to care at all.
Watch this video to learn more about Susan and Klinger’s story:
What a blessing it was that Susan saw Klinger and was able to save his life! Tell us if this touching story touched you too!
Susan Hickman’s encounter with Klinger, the baby bird she rescued and nursed back to health, is a heartwarming story of compassion and resilience. Her decision to stop and investigate the cracked shell she came across led to a transformative journey for both her and Klinger. Despite the challenges of raising a newborn bird and the laborious task of feeding it every few minutes, Susan’s determination and emotional bond with Klinger sustained her efforts.
As Klinger grew and developed into a majestic bird, he became an integral part of Susan’s life and family. Their bond deepened and brought Susan joy and fulfillment as she witnessed Klinger’s remarkable transformation. However, Susan was faced with a difficult decision when she realized that Klinger had become too tame to survive in the wild. Despite considering his return to the wild, Susan ultimately decided to keep Klinger with her, recognizing their strong connection and his need for companionship.
This moving story highlights the profound impact that acts of kindness and compassion can have not only on the lives of those we help but also on our own. Susan’s decision to rescue and care for Klinger reflects the power of empathy and love and shows the beauty of caring for and protecting vulnerable creatures. Klinger’s presence in Susan’s life is a testament to the enduring bond they share and demonstrates the transformative nature of compassion and caring.