
Hand-Rearing Introduced New Zealand Birds
A guide to hand-rearing introduced, non-native New Zealand birds. Please note that a Department of Conservation (DOC) permit is required to care for most native and/or endemic species. Please contact the South Island Wildlife Hospital for assistance if you rescue a native and/or endemic bird.
When to intervene and rescue a bird
Is the bird:
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in a dangerous area? e.g. on the road or stuck down a drain
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alone (for a significant period of time)?
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cold?
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covered with parasites?
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tangled with foreign material?
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injured?
You don't need to intervene when a bird:
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is bright and alert
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is active and mobile
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has no evidence of trauma or distress.
Often a lone bird's parents are actually nearby and just waiting for you to leave. Parents often leave older chicks alone for short periods of time.
If older chicks/fledglings are in your backyard then keep your pets like cats and dogs indoors or in a different area for a few days until the fledglings can fly.
You can put young chicks back in their nest, their parents will not reject them, this is just a myth!
Click the link below for a visual summary:
I've found a baby bird - what do I do?
Additional resources and further help
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Your local veterinarian
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Hand-Rearing Birds by Laurie J. Gage & Rebecca S. Duerr
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Wild City Neighbours: A Guide to Native Bird Rehabilitation by Christine Mander, Lynn Adams & Annabel Riley