Homeless Man Becomes 'Nairobi Birdman' Saving Injured Birds

A man who never had a home of his own is now giving shelter to dozens of birds that need it most.

Rodgers Oloo Magutha walks through Nairobi with an injured kite perched on his head, just one of many wild birds he's nursing back to health in Kenya's largest city. Pigeons, storks, owls, and other birds that collide with powerlines, windows, and cars find refuge with the man locals now call the "Nairobi Birdman."

Magutha's journey started in poverty near Lake Nakuru National Park, where he grew up without a family home. During his difficult homeless years, he would sneak into the park to watch the birds, finding peace in those quiet moments. Even then, living on the streets, he'd rescue and care for hurt or hungry birds whenever possible.

"We used to stay with the birds on the streets," Magutha told Africa News. His compassion never wavered, even when he had almost nothing to give.

Today, Magutha has stable housing, and he's turned his home into an unofficial bird rescue. His Instagram account has made him a social media star, where he shares videos dancing with a marabou stork and teaching young fans why flamingos turn pink. The content has a distinctly joyful energy that reflects his love for his feathered friends.

The challenge is space. Magutha can't house more than ten different species together, which limits how many birds he can save at once. He relies on donations to feed the birds and provide basic care before releasing them back to the wild when they're ready.

Sunny's Take

What makes Magutha's story so powerful is how he's transforming his own painful past into purpose. A man who never experienced the security of a childhood home is creating safe havens for creatures that can't help themselves. He's teaching a new generation to care about wildlife through his playful, educational social media presence, proving that hope can take flight even from the hardest beginnings.

His dream is to open a legal, fully equipped avian rescue center where he can save even more birds. Until that day comes, the Nairobi Birdman continues his work one rescued bird at a time, giving them the care and safety he once longed for himself.