Hunua Bird Life

Hunua Bird Life DOC Certified rehabilitation facility and Charitable Trust (CC62722) for native land birds

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 th...
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. 🐦

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

Tūī arrived yesterday afternoon, sadly limp as a dish cloth. She was found next to a Papakura park with concussion and l...
31/08/2026

Tūī arrived yesterday afternoon, sadly limp as a dish cloth. She was found next to a Papakura park with concussion and lack of the nectar tūī need to satisfy their high metabolism.

She was no longer able to eat independently. I tube fed water with honey, nutrition and anti-inflamatory straight into her crop, and placed her in a warm brooder with extra oxygen.

This morning she woke a terror and an escape artist. She flew around the room before she calmed enough to be caught and fed. I kept her for another day and she continued to do well including eating from a bowl.

She will be released tomorrow morning. A healthy adult tūī with a new lease of life, a spring in her step and looking for a mate in our rural neighbourhood!

The following post is written by Lenny van Heugten, daughter and author of the book - Given the recent flurry of news a...
28/08/2026

The following post is written by Lenny van Heugten, daughter and author of the book -

Given the recent flurry of news about the Hūnua kōkako population - it's strong numbers at over 400 pairs from just a single pair in 1994, the oldest known breeding female, and the recent translocations of 20 birds to help a tiny population in Northland survive - it seems timely to remind you that there is a book documenting the history up to 2022.

It's a great coffee table book, a great fathers day gift, great for older members of the district who will recognise names and images, and wonderful to gift friends and family who may like to know more about the area or the projects friends and family have been involved in.

You can purchase the books from - www.friendsofhunuaranges.co.nz - for $37, or borrow it from your local library. All profits are held by Friends of Hunua Ranges to continue to enhance the ngahere for all who use it.

🐣 A tiny rescue with a fighting spiritThis little spur-winged plover chick came into care after being separated from its...
25/08/2026

🐣 A tiny rescue with a fighting spirit

This little spur-winged plover chick came into care after being separated from its parents and found cold, weak and in need of help.

After warmth, hydration, appropriate food and plenty of careful monitoring, the little one began to perk up, find its feet and start eating independently. 💚

Young birds like this can be incredibly vulnerable, and knowing what to do in those first few hours can make a huge difference.

This is just one example of the birds that come through our network and the people who work alongside Hunua Bird Life to give them the best possible chance of recovery and, wherever possible, return to the wild.

Supporting Hunua Bird Life helps us continue rescue, rehabilitation and advocacy for birds across our community.

Every little life matters. 🐦🌿

22/08/2026

Kōkako song...

After 3 trips to Waipoua Forest all 20 kōkako have now been released to strengthen their remnant kōkako population. Will...
22/08/2026

After 3 trips to Waipoua Forest all 20 kōkako have now been released to strengthen their remnant kōkako population. Willow went up to help release them, and was warmly welcomed at the marae.

In the first picture they measure a leg bone to determine the gender; the boys are slightly bigger than the girls.

I will post a further video of the kōkako arrival song.

The translocation team, including Willow, catch kōkako in mist nets.They check their health, weight them, take blood and...
19/08/2026

The translocation team, including Willow, catch kōkako in mist nets.

They check their health, weight them, take blood and f***l samples, and give them unique identification leg bands.

Then they go into purpose designed aviaries. Kōkako eat leaves, berries, other fruit, insects, flowers and nectar. Their diet changes per season, depending on availability.

The translocation team in the Hunua Ranges have been busy catching kōkako, and the population in the Waipoua forest in N...
19/08/2026

The translocation team in the Hunua Ranges have been busy catching kōkako, and the population in the Waipoua forest in Northland will get 20 new birds. What a success story for both kōkako populations!

UPDATE: We made $175, mostly with the sale of dahlia bulbs (all 3 boxes are gone!) and second-hand items. This will feed...
14/08/2026

UPDATE: We made $175, mostly with the sale of dahlia bulbs (all 3 boxes are gone!) and second-hand items. This will feed quite a few kereru for a while. We also caught up with new locals and people we had not seen for a while. Please remember, koha, money donations and donations of bird related second-hand items are most appreciated! Thanks to the community for your support :)

Today we are fundraising at The Ararimu Market ! Pop down and have a rummage through our bird themed second hand and hand made items or purchase some indoor plants, native seedlings to feed the birds, or dahlia bulbs !

We hope to see you today, and look forward to using your donations to continue to help our native bird species.

Address

2826a Hunua Road
Papakura

Opening Hours

Monday 6:30pm - 9pm
Tuesday 6:30pm - 9pm
Wednesday 6:30pm - 9pm
Thursday 6:30pm - 9pm
Friday 6:30pm - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+642108910021

Website

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