Flying high! Ian Somerhalder has an 'amazing' day nursing injured birds back to health before releasing some into the wild

As if there weren't already enough reasons to have a soft spot for Ian Somerhalder.

The impossibly good-looking Vampire Diaries star showed he's not just a pretty face on Friday as he helped to nurse an injured pelican back to health.

Ian was in California, where he assisted in rehabilitating the birds and then released some back into the wild.

Bird whisperer: Ian Somerhalder attended the We All Love Wildlife video series launch at the International Bird Rescue and Marine Mammal Center in California on Friday

Bird whisperer: Ian Somerhalder attended the We All Love Wildlife video series launch at the International Bird Rescue and Marine Mammal Center in California on Friday

The 36-year-old was at the launch of the We All Love Wildlife Video series at the International Bird Rescue and Marine Mammal Center.

Ian shared a video to Instagram which showed him setting the pelicans free, and told fans it had been 'incredible and emotional'.

'Such an amazing day-Just released these beautiful rehabilitated birds into the wild thanks to international bird rescue,' he captioned the clip.

Animal lover: The actor assisted in rehabilitating the birds and then released some of them back into the wild

Animal lover: The actor assisted in rehabilitating the birds and then released some of them back into the wild

'It was an incredible and emotional moment': Ian shared a video which showed him releasing the birds

'It was an incredible and emotional moment': Ian shared a video which showed him releasing the birds

'This is why #ILoveWildlife #HowDoYouLoveWildLife #ad Check out this video- it was an incredible and emotional moment for me.'

Inside the centre, Ian was seen holding a pelican's beak and offering soothing words as it was checked over by professionals.

The actor wore safety glasses to avoid any pecks to his eye, but the bird was gentle as Ian stroked it.

Helping out: The 36-year-old stroked an injured pelican and offered soothing words as it was inspected

Helping out: The 36-year-old stroked an injured pelican and offered soothing words as it was inspected

Gently does it: Ian held the bird's beak while one of the staff members at the centre wrapped a towel around it

Gently does it: Ian held the bird's beak while one of the staff members at the centre wrapped a towel around it

Something to swoon about: There are already plenty of reasons to love Ian, but he gave fans another

Something to swoon about: There are already plenty of reasons to love Ian, but he gave fans another

For the outing, the animal lover wore a denim shirt tucked into black jeans, along with a black belt and brown shoes.

Ian has made it his mission to use his platform to help animals in need and the environment, and started the Ian Somerhalder Foundation. The charity aims to open an animal sanctuary in the near future.

The star married Twilight actress Nikki Reed on April 26 in Malibu, after nine months of dating.

Protection: The Vampire Diaries star wore safety glasses, but the pelican was gentle

Protection: The Vampire Diaries star wore safety glasses, but the pelican was gentle

Making it his mission: He launched the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to help animals in need and the environment

Making it his mission: He launched the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to help animals in need and the environment

Busy star: Ian will be heading to Comic-Con this weekend to promote The Vampire Diaries

Busy star: Ian will be heading to Comic-Con this weekend to promote The Vampire Diaries

Nikki got engaged to Ian a month after her divorce from husband of two years Paul McDonald was finalised.

Meanwhile, Ian will be attending Comic-Con this weekend for The Vampire Diaries, and recently discussed what fans can expect from the upcoming seventh season, which premieres in October.

Speaking of the exit of co-star Nina Dobrev, who Ian dated for two years, he told Melty.com: 'We’re actually very excited about telling this story. Mystic Falls without Elena Gilbert is going to be very different.

'We want to go back to that season one and season two of storytelling… I think that the last scene in the last episode that you see is truly a depiction of what this next season’s going to be.'

Casual: The actor wore a denim shirt tucked into black jeans, along with scuffed brown shoes
Casual: The actor wore a denim shirt tucked into black jeans, along with scuffed brown shoes

Casual: The actor wore a denim shirt tucked into black jeans, along with scuffed brown shoes

His love: Ian is pictured kissing wife of two months Nikki Reed at a Fourth Of July party

His love: Ian is pictured kissing wife of two months Nikki Reed at a Fourth Of July party

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