Hunua Bird Life

17/10/2026

Bridgette – then and now ❤️

From a tiny rescued chick to a beautiful, independent bird.

Bridgette arrived in our care as a newly hatched chick, tiny and completely dependent on us for warmth, food and protection.

After around seven weeks in care, she was soft-released a couple of days ago. Plovers are naturally wild birds that don't generally adapt well to captivity, so it was wonderful to see her take off and fly into the distance. We thought that was the last we'd see of her.

But she came back that evening, waiting at the aviary door to be let in. And she's been doing the same thing ever since!

This is part of the soft-release process. Rather than releasing a rehabilitated bird and expecting it to manage entirely on its own from day one, soft release allows it to gradually adjust to life in the wild while still having access to a familiar, safe place.

It's not unusual for birds to return to their release site for shelter or food during this transition. As they become more confident and independent, those visits may become less frequent until eventually they stop returning.

For now, Bridgette spends her days flying freely, exploring and hunting for her own food, before returning to her aviary when she's ready.

One day she might not come back. And that's exactly what we're working towards. ❤️

11/10/2026

This juvenile kereru arrived a month ago. It had an unforgiving strike with a window, poor thing. The kind rescuers took the bird to Franklin Vets in Waiuku, where I collected it. We stayed in regular contact for updates and pictures, and the rescuers expressed a desire to ultimately return the bird to it's whanau.

The kereru had 2 main injuries. It's crop was sore from the impact and it intially regurgitated all its food. The bird required gentle hydration and feeding, starting with liquid feeds. It also had a fractured chest bone, the coracoid, and it was on cage rest for a few weeks to let it heal.

A couple of days ago it moved to the aviary, which is always a bit nerve wrecking as it is uncertain whether it will be able to fly. After a few trials which went south, it is building up muscle strength again and flying beautifully. If all continues to go well it can be reunited with it's flock soon!

09/10/2026

Hunua Bird Life is now on INSTAGRAM!

Feel free to jump over and give us a follow - https://www.instagram.com/hunuabirdlife/

Hunua Bird Life is a 100% volunteer organisation, so if there's anyone you know in the community not on Facebook please feel free to share this with them.

All support and aroha is deeply appreciated 💚🐦

04/10/2026

Tūī was found in Clevedon. It was immobile, laying on the ground, without obvious injuries.

The rescuer was convinced the precious bird would not make it. She thankfully took it to Franklin Vets in Papakura, who hydrated it with electrolytes and contacted Hunua Bird Life. The hydration brought life back into this manu / bird, however it remained unable to fly. My daughter kindly collected it and we gave it a warm brooder, wholesome food and a quiet night's sleep.

The following day it was full of beans. It was released without any difficulties to gorge itself again on kowhai and peach blossoms!

24/09/2026

With the arrival of spring and the expected busy bird season, Hūnua Bird Life needs your help!

🤸‍♂️We are looking for people who share our vision and want to volunteer at our facility. If you are 15 years or older and have a couple of hours to spare every third week or so, we would love to hear from you!!

There are other ways you can help:

🐁 Trap mice and put them in the freezer for us to feed ruru and kōtare (from poison free homes)

⛺️ Support our market stall by crocheting native birds (patterns available), donating plants, flower bulbs, or second-hand items with a bird theme

🫛Donate towards a cabin / bird hospital, food and medication

As you may know, Hūnua Bird Life has no independent source of income. Our finances come straight from you, the public. Please consider a regular donation, and message your details for a receipt and tax refund:

Hunua Bird Life Charitable Trust 12-3031-0313046-00

Feel free to contact us on 021 08910021

Thank you so much for your ongoing support! 🐦

12/09/2026

12/09/2026

🎊 Party time 🎊
Hunua Bird Life has been looking after birds for 10 years 🎊

Thank you so much for your support over the years!!! We can not do what we do without your help

Most importantly, thank you to the compassionate people who rescue and bring in birds in need 🎖

Our heartfelt thanks go out to:
# Veterinary care - Janine, Eckhard, Calico, Avian Empire
# Volunteers - Kim, Emma, Cristin, Blaze, Jewels, Terry
# Trustees - Rachel, Willow, Melle, Marleen
# Market support - Lenny, Haydn, Blaze, Melle, Hugh, Creative Critters (jewelry)
# Like minded people - Rami, Nikki, Jane, Kim and others at South Auckland Rescue Birds; rescuers like Lynne Miller Wild Ways Education, Karen Native Bird Rescue - Waiheke Island , Tom Native Nest Nz , Mieke Kūoatunu, Rashi BirdCare Aotearoa and many others

And all the other special people who:
* Trap mice (from poison free homes)
* Crochet birds (to sell at the market)
* Donate second hand items with a bird theme (to sell)
* Donate plants and flower bulbs for the market
* Donate towards a cabin / bird hospital
* Offer a financial donation towards food and medicine

As you may know, Hunua Bird Life has no independent source of income; our finances come straight from you, the public.
Bank account: Hunua Bird Life Charitable Trust 12- 3031- 0313046- 00

Further offers of support are welcome and needed! Feel free to give me a call and discuss how you can help - 021 08910021. I'm happy to share crochet patterns, just saying ;) 🎊

10/09/2026

The door is open. The time has come to leave the nest... nah, I like this 5 star hotel!

The welcoming committee is awaiting the new members of the flock, who are in no hurry to join them in the wild ;)

UPDATE: they have flown off now!

06/09/2026

It's spring time!
Found a baby bird and not sure what to do?

Knowing whether it’s a nestling or fledgling can make all the difference. Often, the best thing we can do is keep them safe and let their parents continue caring for them.

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide what to do. 🐦

05/09/2026

Two kēreru arrived in the same weekend, both emaciated, at a time when natural kēreru food is in short supply.

The nestling / juvenile with the yellow tufts (and hugging the food bowl) was born late in the season, and winter arrived too soon. She was 320 gram on arrival, and ate and ate to catch up with her normal body weight.

The older bird was found on the side of the road. At 436 grams she was so weak that she kept falling over like a soft toy. Her keelbone was sticking out and I could easily feel the clavicle (wishbone) and spine through the front of her neck. Takanini Associate Vets were kind enough to Xray her. Besides an enlarged liver (possibly due to infection) there were no injuries. No parasites were found under the microscope. This was good news! Within 2 weeks of healthy nutricion and milk thistle she was 544 grams. Today, a week later, she weights a healthy 610 gr, a 40% increase in body weight!

They are in the aviary together so they can built fitness and hopefully strike up a friendship built on shared experiences 😏

And for interest sake, I tend to call my birds female if I don't know their gender. My quirk...