Zena's South Canterbury Bird Rescue - Located in Timaru

18/06/2026

Upcoming raffle!!!
Hoping to get a raffle up tomorrow afternoon to raise some much needed funds for the bird rescue account!!! Keep your eyes peeled and please support ♡ i know times are hard but without your help I simply can't helping any and all birds that come through my door 😞

17/06/2026

We got a very special visitor!!!
Never in my life did I think that one day I would be standing less than 2 meters away from a wild falcon!!! Let alone see one in the tree at my fathers house!!! Very special 15 minutes that's for sure!!! Down side being... he/she found my pigeon aviaries!!!! Thankfully something told me about 15 mins before this beauty arrived, not to let my birds out!!! Thank goodness for that!
Photos in the comments ♡

15/06/2026

On Friday I got a call about a 'oyster catcher' that had been found down at the bay
Thankfully I was on my lunch break so was able to shoot down to pick it up
It didnt take me long to realise once I got there that it was defiantly not a oyster catch and infact it was actually a Australasian crested grebe!!!
These birds are classified as Nationally Vulnerable and do not belong in Timaru let along belong on a beach!
So I contacted doc straight away however unfortunately there was no transport avaliable to get this special wee bird to one of the wildlife hospitals so between us and Beaks, Paws & Claws Animal Rescue Otago we came up with a plan to transfer it down to Dunedin Wildlife Hospital. In the mean time it was kept warm and given fish slurries as the poor thing was atleast 300g underweight. Unfortunately while I was at work on Saturday this poor wee dot passed away 😢 an xray has been done since to rule out a fish hook as its a common issue in these birds which has come back clear so unfortunately our best guess (due to the smell of this birds poos) we think he/she may have been suffering from Botulism 😞 as much as its absolutely amazing to see these types of birds up close its alot of pressure when you know just how simply special and important they are! And when they pass it care before being able to get them transferred to a Wildlife Hospital it definitely hits harder than when your dealing with a normal wild bird. Full ups to our amazing Wildlife Hospitals for caring for all our amazing native birds!!! Its a very stressful job and I simply dont think you get the acknowledgement that you truly deserve!!!

To support us being able to continue to take sick and birds in please consider donating ♡♡♡ we cant continue without you!!!

rescue vet account:
Timaru Family Vet
12-3159-0089231-53
Particulars: bird
Code: rescue
Ref: 203383

14/06/2026

Meet Donald
Donald came to me just over a month ago needing help!
He had already spent quiet some time at another rescue however they were unable to fix the issue that was causing his face to fill with fluid and were nearly at the point of euthanasia 😞
Thankfully with the help of our awesome vet team and daily help from Mum to medicate him for a whole month, Donald's face looks perfect ♡♡♡
A huge thank you to the team at Timaru's Family Vet for getting Donald's testing done, getting him on the right meds (at the correct dose) and for giving him Sinus rinses!!! And to mum for helping me every day, even though he was exactly happy about it 🤣
Yesterday Donald went to join the ducks at Beaks, Paws & Claws Animal Rescue Otago where he will be able to be kept an eye on (just incase) and where he can enjoy being a duck again without the constant human handling 😉 Massive thank you to Nina for taking him in ♡ videos in the comments of his release ♡

To help us with the on going vet bills please if you can donate please do! Every cent truly helps!!! Any help is muchly appreciate ♡
rescue vet account:
Timaru Family Vet
12-3159-0089231-53
Particulars: bird
Code: rescue
Ref: 203383

14/06/2026

15 geese still looking for a new forever postal code. Located mayfeild but can organize for them to be brought down if needed

34 Geese needing a new postal code
I have been contacted about some Geese that need somewhere new to go asap due to health reasons of their owner
These birds are currently located in Mayfeild
If you would be interested in some please flick me a message 😊 thank you in advance ♡

10/06/2026

***on behalf***

Prince is a 3ish year old indoor friendly cockateil that is needing a new forever postal code

If your interested please flick me a message and I'll put you onto the owner 😊

08/06/2026

My current wild flock ♡
They have all come in for different reasons
They have a whole flight aviary to themselves and will be released in spring ♡
I love being the carer of the underdogs as much as it breaks my heart to see what humans do to these beautiful birds!!!
They are the most harmless birds around!!!
Please respect them!!!
Huge shout out to the lovely humans that have brought all these birds to me!!!
It's nice to know there is atleast a small portion of humans that still care about these out casts!!!
Also a massive thank you to the amazing Joy Dillon for the donation to top up these guys food supply!! I will be purchasing all the extra goodies to add into their mix as soon as I get the drums that the wonderful Gemma McCallum organized and delivered for safely storing all the grain in sorted (with the help of my dear friend Ian Hunter) ♡♡♡ I appreciate you all dearly!!!

08/06/2026

How amazing is this!!!
Huge thank you to Aunty Mavis Bray Brown for getting this made for me and to my brother Liam Guthrie for painting it ♡♡♡
Has definitely made the pigeon aviary ♡
Absolutely love it ♡♡♡

07/06/2026

34 Geese needing a new postal code
I have been contacted about some Geese that need somewhere new to go asap due to health reasons of their owner
These birds are currently located in Mayfeild
If you would be interested in some please flick me a message 😊 thank you in advance ♡

06/06/2026

Today marks 7 years since we lost my dear friend aka the crazy timaru rat lady!!!
Little did this beautiful lady realise before she left us that she actually made my bird rescue possible!!!
How you may ask???
Because she was the one that put me onto the one and only Marnie from Timaru's Family Vet
I owe alot to this beautiful lady! I so wish she was still here to see how we have come with the rescue but I also know she would be so proud!!!
I love and miss you dearly my friend!!!
Look after all your rat friends and also my feathered babies please ♡♡♡