Cintika and her family live on the coast of Belgium, where the backyard of their home has become a haven for local birds. The family regularly leaves out food for feathered visitors to grab a snack — but the yard is more than just a place for handouts.
“Sometimes, sick pigeons have come here, and we’ve cared for them,” Cintika told The Dodo. “In the spring, we had a fledgling crow for a week until it learned to fly properly. I think the birds in the area know there’s food here.”
Recently, the family had the chance to help another bird in need.
Looking out the window the other day, Cintika and her husband saw this — a visiting seagull who was struggling to eat.
Then they noticed something in her mouth:
After an unsuccessful attempt to catch the gull by dropping a blanket from upstairs, the couple noticed she was struggling to move around. While Cintika kept the bird’s attention, her husband approached from behind and managed to catch her. Cintika then carefully cut away the plastic ring caught around her bill.
“It was a ring from the cap of a large water container,” Cintika said. “She seemed fine to me afterward — in fact, she was very quick to peck me!”
The bird then finished the bite of food she’d taken, now free of any obstructions. Then, she flew away.
Cintika later visited a nearby beach hoping to spot the gull again, but she couldn’t pinpoint her.
Still, Cintika hopes the bird's story will leave a lasting impression.
“I’d like people to become more aware that they shouldn’t litter anywhere, especially in nature and on beaches,” Cintika said.
