BirdCare Aotearoa

24/08/2025

We’re aware of online comments claiming we “euthanise healthy birds” and that we “threatened to euthanise a mallard duckling.” These claims are incorrect and harmful.

End-of-life care (euthanasia): We only consider euthanasia when, in professional judgment, a bird is suffering with injuries or sickness, that cannot be rehabilitated. That is, the bird would be unable to thrive in the wild. It is a last resort and is always carried out to prevent ongoing pain and distress.

Non-native admissions: We do not have the resources to admit non-native species (for example, mallards). In a recent case, a lone mallard duckling was brought to us. Our staff explained our intake limits and advised the rescuer to contact their local veterinary clinic. We did not advise or threaten euthanasia.

Misinformation results in our staff and volunteers being abused online and in person. We’re a small team working very hard for Aotearoa’s wildlife. Please help by sharing accurate information and treating people with kindness.

21/08/2025

It’s weigh-in time for our orphaned Masked Lapwings—and the results are in!

These little ones have more than tripled in size, are hitting all their milestones, and are well on track for a successful release. 💚

We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank We Care Community Trust for their generous support. Their grant has funded the wages of one of our Rehabilitation Assistants, enabling her to continue her mahi caring for these chicks—as well as many other orphaned, injured, and sick native birds of Aotearoa.

For everyone following their journey—you can keep watching these adorable little mess-makers grow in real time on their very own live feed (daylight hours only). 👀📷

👉 https://www.twitch.tv/birdcare

20/08/2025

Incoming! 🚨

No sooner had we released one rehabilitated seabird, and another has already arrived in our care.

This Ōi / Grey-faced Petrel is another suspected victim of disorientation caused by Auckland’s bright city night sky.

Patient 25-1256 was found grounded in Henderson and brought to BirdCare Aotearoa for urgent care. On arrival, it was clear the bird had sustained collision-related injuries, including a small wound on its forehead and grazes on its feet.

Our hospital team quickly began stabilising the patient with oxygen, fluid therapy, pain relief, and tube-feeding. The bird is responding well so far, and we’ll keep you updated on its rehabilitation journey. 💚

18/08/2025

"Feather" flies home. 💚

Patient 25-1223 was rescued from Swanson. This kererū was yet another admission with collision-injuries. The BirdCare team responded with pain relief, oxygen ventilation, tube feeds, and physiotherapy. After 12 days in clinical care, it was ready to go home!

Thank you Dan Collins for helping us connect with Swanson School. Ms Paton, Ms Dray, and a flock of students welcomed the taonga back to it's home territory! The large net is a back-up for releases, so we asked Principal Neighbour to carry this through the school 😂

We don't name patients at our hospital, so when the kids asked, we were keen to hear their ideas! "Dad Bird," "Freedom"... but finally, the kids voted in "Feather," aptly named by a junior kaitiaki! (Dad Bird was a close second!)

Thank you to Swanson Primary, for your native plantings, and welcoming Feather back home. A special thank you to rangatahi Paige, who read the karakia from Te Kawerau a Maki; Neriah and Kaitlyn for helping set it free!

Great work Ms Paton and Ms Dray for capturing these special moments 📷

Haley, is an intern at BirdCare. She studies Environmental Science at U Vermont and AUT, and was amazed by kiwi kids' commitment to conservation!

Thank you to all our supporters, who really help us take clinical rehab and education to new heights!
Please reach out if your business too would like to partner with our charitable native bird hospital 💚

15/08/2025

Aren’t they beautiful?

We are incredibly grateful to Tania Mallow Jewellery for their beautiful mahi in creating a custom Tītī / Cook’s Petrel necklace, with proceeds supporting the rehabilitation of Aotearoa’s native and endemic birds. 💚

Every purchase helps give vulnerable seabirds—like the Tītī—a second chance in the wild. If you’re looking for a meaningful gift that makes a difference, be sure to check out their page!

15/08/2025

Happy Rāmere (Friday) everyone!

Yesterday was a historic day for Te Wao nui a Tiriwa, The Waitakere Ranges, all Aucklanders... and as Mayor Brown explained in his endorsement, of significance to the nation! BirdCare Aotearoa were honoured to join the passionate environmentalists and decision makers of West Auckland in tautoko of our dear friends Te Kawerau ā Maki at the Council's Policy and Planning Committee meeting.

A huge thank you to everyone involved with the Waitakere Ranges Deed of Acknowledgement, ensuring that all voices will be at the table when discussing urgent matters of environmental protections!

Before the meeting, Sheila and Rashi were about to have a photograph with Annalily from Forest & Bird Waitakere, Anka from Matuku Link, and Michelle from Pest Free Waitakere Ranges Allience ... when joined by a photobomber! Cr Shane Henderson 💚

The council chambers were full, so we were directed to the overflow room. Aka, the Party chamber.

We were in a sea of maroon tshirts- Te Kawerau whanau and friends. Among us were other community groups, ngā iwi, off-duty park rangers (turns out their m***i is still khaki :P), the toy library, and most touching- a melting pot of tamariki and rangatahi (youth) with their teachers and school principals.

Our room was lively, perhaps louder than allowed in the actual council chamber! Rounds of applause for the articulate presentations by Greg Presland Chair and Sandra Coney of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board, and colleagues, including members the Whau Local Board beside them. What does the future look like they were asked? "Healthy kauri."

Whistles and big cheers to Cr Henderson, asking if this Deed of Acknowledgement will now see West Auckland receive more attention from the city-wide governing body?!

Thank you to numerous Councillors- Filipaina, including mana wahine Crs Leoni, Fairey, Fletcher, Simpson, Fuli, Dalton, Bartley- reiterating the significance to mana whenua and all Aucklanders. (17 in full support, for brevity, we wont list them all here).

Tautoko to the Committee Chair Richard Hills, for coordinating the councillors' discussions- great to see democracy in action, with some needing multiple speaker time bells! The meeting was unexpectedly lengthy, but crawling under the tables in our room were a few patient toddlers- tomorrow's guardians of the Ranges.

A special thank you to Te Kawerau whanau, for keeping us fed with fruit, muffins, drink during the discussions! Manaakitanga (kindness and generosity) is deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori.

At BirdCare, we've had the privilege of seeing these values in action over numerous knowledge exchanges and bird releases. We are so excited for this strengthened and more connected approach to protecting our incredible Te Taiao (natural heritage). 💚

14/08/2025

Patient update: Tūī 25-1232 😍

This resilient Tūī has made remarkable progress in just seven days of care!

Thanks to the quick timing of its rescue—and a regime of oxygen therapy, hydration support, and pain relief—it made a full recovery and has now been released back into the wild. 💚

Seconds after this video was taken, the Tūī rocketed into the trees in true Tūī fashion! 🌳

Ngā mihi nui—our heartfelt thanks go not only to the caring community members who ensured this bird received treatment quickly, but also to our generous supporters and donors who make recoveries like this possible—and of course to our volunteer Terry for assisting with the release.

13/08/2025

Happy 250th birthday The Fringe!
We are honoured that our story of rehabilitating light-impacted seabirds features in this very special issue!

And what a perfect place to pick up our copy- The Titirangi library bus! Titirangi Community Library

Thank you Titirangi for your support!

13/08/2025

Kuaka / Common* Diving Petrel

*Although named "Common," this species is classified as "relict"- at just 10% of its original range. Sadly, it isn't so common, and really needs everyone to help protect them!

This tiny seabird was recently found grounded near the Auckland Viaduct, and taken to our friends at Pet Doctors St Lukes for urgent care, before being transferred to BirdCare Aotearoa for rehabilitation. This is another suspected case of disorientation by our bright city night sky.

Fortunately for patient 25-1237, no serious injuries were found—just a few issues from being grounded, including minor damage to the underside of its beautiful blue feet and dirty ventral feathers affecting its waterproofing.

Our hospital team have maintained hydration and a tailored feeding plan, as well as applying ointment to soothe its sore feet, and physiotherapy to recover its feather water-proofing

Stay tuned—we’ll keep you updated on its progress. 💙🌊

11/08/2025

08/08/2025

Mahi tahi (working together)! 💕

Kereru 25-1124 was yet another admission with suspected collision injuries. It was rescued from Karekare beach car park, and quickly brought to BirdCare. Our clinical team found bruising around its keel (extension of its sternum), and coagulated blood around the beak tip- causing the beak to be "fused" shut. Although there were no orthopedic injuries, it seemed unbalanced. It was able to perch and flap. It tested positive for a Trichomoniasis (parasitic infection).

Oxygen, fluids, pain relief, anti-microbials, and physio. After 19 days in care, recovering to 680g, it was ready to go home. It's feathers were waterproof, and we were confident that ruffled up look would best recover in the wild.

We asked our friends at Te Kawerau ā Maki to help with this release. Karekare is a special place, and kereru are a taonga to the iwi. Kevin (chair of our Board) handed the manu to Josie, who named it "Karaka," in memory of rangatira Papa George, and the berries the birds feast on. 🧡

Thank you Josie for sharing the significance of Karaka's return to Te Pae o Tiriwa- the perch of Tiriwa, their founding ancestor and guardian.

When you next visit Karekare, look out for Karaka and its friends, sheltering in the great forest of Tiriwa!

06/08/2025

Incoming!

This beautiful tūī was admitted to our ICU today after being found grounded in the middle of the road in Mount Eden. A huge thank you to the wonderful community members who rescued this bird and brought it straight to BirdCare Aotearoa for urgent care. 💚

Our hospital team immediately began supportive care for patient 25-1232, including oxygen therapy, fluids, and pain relief. 🏨🩺

Although its condition remains touch and go, we’re optimistic that it was rescued in time — giving it the best possible chance of a full recovery and eventual return to the wild. 🤞

We're currently looking to partner with environmentally-conscious businesses who would like to support and champion this tūī's journey to recovery. If your organisation would like to be part of its story, please comment below — we’d love to hear from you!