BirdCare Aotearoa

06/06/2026

Please be careful with your fishing gear. 🎣

BirdCare Aotearoa regularly receives seabirds that have become the unintended victims of discarded fishing gear. From swallowed hooks and entanglement injuries to severe infections and starvation, the consequences can be devastating.

While we do everything we can to save these birds, some injuries are simply too severe - some cases happy endings, and others sadly cannot not be saved.

A simple act, such as taking discarded line, hooks, and tackle home with you, can make a real difference. By helping to keep our beaches, waterways, and moana free of fishing litter, you can prevent unnecessary suffering for the taonga species that share these environments with us. 💚

Ngā mihi to everyone who fishes responsibly and takes the time to remove rubbish from the places they visit.

If you’d like to support this important work, please consider donating below. 👇

https://givealittle.co.nz/org/birdcareaotearoa

28/05/2026

Just a young Kererū enjoying some outside time. 💚

In between building flight confidence and learning natural foraging behaviours, Kererū 26-666 from Whangārei is enjoying a spot of lunch with a little help from the team. 😋

This youngster is growing in leaps and bounds and continuing to make fantastic progress - hopefully it won’t be too long before it is ready to be reintroduced back into the wild.

BirdCare Aotearoa rehabilitates native birds from right across Auckland and neighbouring regions. Every patient receives specialised care to give them the best possible chance at recovery and release.

If you’d like to support this life-saving work, please consider donating below. 👇

https://givealittle.co.nz/org/birdcareaotearoa

19/05/2026

Don't forget to get your tickets! 🐦🎼

Main concert is on Friday May 22nd, 7pm at St Matthew-in-the-City, and Matinee concert is on Saturday May 23rd, 2pm at the University of Auckland School of Music Theatre.

Tickets via Humanitix on attached poster.

Who likes bird song? What about songs, fundraising for birds?! 🐦

This year, the talented Auckland Uni Student Chamber Orchestra have chosen to support BirdCare Aotearoa through their annual concert! 🎼🎻🥁🎺🦉

We are honored! 💚

Main concert is on Friday May 22nd, 7pm at St Matthew-in-the-City, and Matinee concert is on Saturday May 23rd, 2pm at the University of Auckland School of Music Theatre.

Tickets via Humanitix on attached poster.

Please support their incredible orchestra... which in turn is supporting our clinical rehabilitation mahi. 👇

https://events.humanitix.com/ausco-presents-across-lands-and-legends-cw9p2c8c

18/05/2026

Whose eye was this? 👀
If you guessed Spotless crake / Pūweto, you were correct!

Patient 26-656 travelled all the way from Rākino Island after being found unable to walk and clearly unwell.

Thanks to the quick actions of caring community members, this little manu was brought to BirdCare Aotearoa as quickly as possible for urgent assessment and care.

Unfortunately, this story does not have a happy ending. On arrival, our team found a bird that was cold, weak, underweight, and showing signs of ataxia. Despite efforts to stabilise and warm the patient, it sadly passed away shortly after admission.

We can’t save them all. However, thanks to the compassion of the those who brought this Pūweto to us - and the ongoing support of We Care Community Trust Limited - we were able to give it the best possible chance. 💚

16/05/2026

BirdCare Aotearoa will be closed today due to staff illness.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. 💚

15/05/2026

Who's eye is this? 👀

This striking red eye belongs to a patient that was recently admitted to BirdCare Aotearoa. Can you guess what species it is?

14/05/2026

Lunch time! 😋

This young Kererū is still learning how to feed itself, and needs a bit of guidance from the team. 💚

Patient 26-666 was found at Hurupaki School in Whangarei. It had fallen from its nest, and was grounded (could not fly). Huge thanks to its rescuer for driving it all the way to BirdCare! It is recovering well, very chirpy... and has a great appetite!

We rehabilitate native birds rescued all over Auckland, and neighbouring districts like Whangarei. Huge thanks to Pub Charity Limited for funding this life-saving work by our Hospital Manager!

08/05/2026

Who likes bird song? What about songs, fundraising for birds?! 🐦

This year, the talented Auckland Uni Student Chamber Orchestra have chosen to support BirdCare Aotearoa through their annual concert! 🎼🎻🥁🎺🦉

We are honored! 💚

Main concert is on Friday May 22nd, 7pm at St Matthew-in-the-City, and Matinee concert is on Saturday May 23rd, 2pm at the University of Auckland School of Music Theatre.

Tickets via Humanitix on attached poster.

Please support their incredible orchestra... which in turn is supporting our clinical rehabilitation mahi. 👇

https://events.humanitix.com/ausco-presents-across-lands-and-legends-cw9p2c8c

07/05/2026

Kāhu with secondary alphachloralose toxicity. 💚

Patient 26-526 was admitted after being found unwell on a golf course. A kind and observant community member carefully contained the bird and brought it straight to BirdCare Aotearoa for urgent care.

On arrival, our team found a Kāhu that was obtunded - drowsy, weak, cold, and minimally responsive, but thankfully without any obvious traumatic injuries.

🏨 Alphachloralose is commonly used in Aotearoa to control introduced bird populations. The toxin works by depressing the central nervous system, causing affected birds to become disoriented, weak, and hypothermic. When not used carefully and responsibly, it can result in significant suffering - and poisoned birds may also become an unintended hazard for native wildlife, particularly predatory species such as Kāhu that scavenge or hunt affected prey.

During treatment, the bird regurgitated a pellet containing pigeon feathers, indicating that it had likely consumed a pigeon affected by alphachloralose poisoning.

Thankfully, this bird was rescued in time. After two days of intensive supportive care, including active warming and fluid therapy, this beautiful manu made a full recovery and was safely released back into the wild. 💚

Ngā mihi nui to the community members who take the time to help injured wildlife, and to our BirdCaring supporters who make treatment and rehabilitation like this possible.

If you’d like to support the care of native birds at BirdCare Aotearoa, please consider donating below. 👇

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-us-save-titi-cooks-petrel