Just a few meters from an aviary in southern Austria, where the mountains are rough but the valleys lush and expansive, Barbara Steininger got nervous. At twenty-five, Steininger was about to become a foster mom. Not an everyday occurrence, she said, “especially if your fosterlings are birds.”

Moments later, a Wildlife Park Rosegg zookeeper placed two featherless chicks in Steininger’s warm hands. Her freckled face lit up. Two down, thirty-three more to go.

From that chilly day in April 2023, Steininger and her colleague, twenty-eight-year-old Helena Wehner, would be the chicks’ sole caregivers. It’s much like being a mom to a human: Cuddles are as essential as words of encouragement and adoration, all delivered in baby speak. Eight times a day, they’ll hand-feed them. “Just that it’s not breast milk or formula,” Wehner said, but a mix of shredded beef hearts and mice.

Such devotion isn’t afforded to just any bird, but to some of the last of the northern bald ibises.

2,800 words to go

You’re just getting to the good part.

This story — and 41 issues of them — opens with a subscription.

Either one picks up right where you left off.

Join 7,000+ readers · Independently owned · Since 2008

Already a subscriber? Sign in