BirdCare Aotearoa

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

05/05/2026

Huge thanks to Auckland Biodiversity and Dotterel Minders for coordinating this. 💚

From tiny chicks taking their first steps to big conversations shaping their future — the 11th annual Auckland dotterel forum was packed with stories, challenges, and hope 🐦

We heard about sick birds being rescued and nursed back to health, and followed the incredible journey of dotterel chicks as they grow and beat the odds. There were honest discussions about tackling aerial predators threatening nests, and the surprising adaptability of dotterels nesting on rooftops and even within busy airport developments.

One thing was clear: people power matters. The dedication of volunteer minders and their citizen science data is making a real difference, helping protect nests and guide better decisions on the ground. And the inspiring comeback story of southern NZ dotterels reminded us just how powerful good data and long-term commitment can be.

Above all, this forum showed that conservation is a team effort. By sharing knowledge, working together, and staying connected, we can all play a part in protecting these special birds.

Auckland Council BirdCare Aotearoa Birds New Zealand

05/05/2026

Patient update!

Who remembers Ōrākei, the Tūturiwhatu (New Zealand dotterel)?

This lucky manu was originally rescued by the Tamaki Yacht Club. After completing rehabilitation at BirdCare Aotearoa, including recovering from gastrointestinal infections, Ōrākei was released into the habitat-protected Omaha Shorebird Sanctuary on March 10th.

📷 Captured here by the Omaha Shorebird Protection Trust, Ōrākei was identified by its DOC band and observed foraging and behaving naturally among the colony - exactly what we hope to see following release.

We’re thrilled, Marie-Louise Ward, Sue and the Dotterel Minders shared this photo, having sighted Ōrākei recently - which appears to be thriving. 🤩

Moments like this are a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Ngā mihi nui to our incredible BirdCaring community - your support makes outcomes like this possible. 💚

If you’d like to help more native birds on their journey back to the wild, please consider donating below. 👇

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

Auckland Biodiversity