OGDEN (AP) — A wildlife rescue in northern Utah is commending a man who found a creative way to rescue an abandoned baby bird while out drinking with friends.
Staff at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah say they received a call last weekend from a man who “had a few too many” alcoholic drinks but discovered a baby lesser goldfinch struggling on the ground.
About an hour later the bird arrived at the center by itself in an Uber. Staff later learned that the man had called the car as he was too intoxicated to drive.
Center director Dalyn Marthaler says the bird who they nicknamed “Petey” was thin and dehydrated when he arrived. He says the bird should be released into the Utah wilderness in a few weeks.
At the beginning of May, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources sent out a press release advising people on what they should do if they find a baby bird on the ground and stating that’s not unusual to find a fallen baby bird during this time of year. Many birds are hatching and often leave their nests before they are able to fly.
“They usually spread along the branch of a tree and chirp and call, waiting for their parents to bring food to them,” said Blair Stringham, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources migratory game bird program coordinator. “Sometimes, that results in them falling from their perch.”
Read more: Here’s what you should do if you find a baby bird on the ground
The DWR had a variety of recommendations that included not feeding or taking the bird to your home, but they also debunked the myth that leaving your scent on a bird leads to rejection by the bird’s parents. It also specified the difference in how the situation should be handled based on whether or not the baby bird has feathers.
The DWR didn’t say anything about calling an Uber for a baby bird.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.