A parrot in Brazil got a second chance at life after being rescued with a severely damaged beak. Most of its upper beak was completely gone, leaving it unable to eat or defend itself—an almost certain death sentence for a wild bird.
Fortunately, the parrot was taken in by Renascer ACN, an animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Planura, Brazil. There, founder Paulo Roberto Martins Nunziata teamed up with veterinarian Maria Ângela Panelli Marchió, an expert in animal orthopedics, to craft a life-changing prosthetic beak.
Unlike feathers or claws, a bird’s beak doesn’t grow back if broken. It’s made of bone covered in keratin—the same material as human hair and nails. That means severe beak injuries usually make survival impossible. But rather than opting for euthanasia, Panelli Marchió used a specialized resin to reconstruct the bird’s lower beak and create an entirely new upper beak, securing it with metal brackets for durability.
The transformation was remarkable. In just one surgery, the parrot regained the ability to eat and function normally. However, despite the beak's strength, it won’t be safe to return the bird to the wild—constant use could wear down the prosthetic over time.
Now, thanks to this groundbreaking procedure, the parrot can live a full and happy life in human care, proving that even the most delicate creatures can get a fresh start with a little ingenuity and compassion.