Have you ever looked up near the coast or a river and spotted a large bird circling around? That’s probably a Brahminy Kite. These birds of prey usually seen hanging out near water, so it was definitely a surprise when three of these awesome birds were recently found right in the middle of Barangay Sabang in Baliwag.
Wildlife can sometimes end up in pretty unexpected places. When the three Brahminy Kites (known locally as Lawin) were found in the busy barangay of Sabang, it could have easily gone wrong. A lot of people might be tempted to keep these birds as pets, and sudden movements by humans could have agitated them into aggression.
Instead, the local government did exactly what you’re supposed to do—personnel from the City Government of Baliwag stepped in, safely recovered the three kites, and handed them straight over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The best part? All three birds were checked out and reported to be totally healthy.
If you aren’t familiar with them, Brahminy Kites are medium-sized raptors with a distinct chestnut-brown body and a bright white head and chest. They’re essentially the cleanup crew of our waterways, mostly scavenging for dead fish and crabs, though they can definitely hunt live prey too. Spotting them is usually a good sign that the local environment is doing well.
Handling wild birds of prey isn’t easy. They need specific diets, plenty of space, and expert care that you just can’t give them in a backyard cage. By turning these kites over to the DENR, the Baliwag officials made sure the birds have the best shot at being released back into the wild where they belong.
It’s a great reminder for all of us: if you ever come across displaced, injured, or captive wildlife, the absolute best thing you can do is contact your local environmental authorities.
Now, the DENR will keep an eye on the kites and ensure they are fully fit to hunt, fly, and survive on their own before they are released. The successful rescue in Barangay Sabang is a soaring reminder that when we work together, local communities and governments are step up as guardians of our local wildlife.