Cat cages of the latest additions clutter my kitchen counter and I staple shade cloth to make temporary cages. A friendly bird can be at more risk than a nervous one, unless it has a permanent safe environment to live in.Ĭurrently, I dont have a dedicated area to work in. During their care, I try to interact with them as little as possible, so that they remain a little bit cautious. Release: It is always the ultimate goal to release birds back in to the wild. Many vets choose to euthanise in these circumstances as a kind ending is more practical than trying to house a broken winged bird for its entire life span (sometimes 20 years!) However, in some cases, all the bird needs is a chance to develop the skills needed to manage with their injury. Broken wings and broken legs are not life threatening, unless you are unable to fly away from a cat! Rehabilitate: Often, the most overlooked group of birds that need care are the ones that have injuries which will take some time to heal. As well as specialised food, naked babies also need warmth, strict hygiene and suitable housing. Raise: This is a hugely time intensive job that requires feedings as close together as every half an hour for orphaned birds. These things are the cornerstone of my responsibilities as a rescue provider.
I liase with the general public and veterinary clinics, do welfare checks on wild birds that may need assistance, and spend countless hours on the phone giving general advice.
This has ranged from baby sparrows that need hand raising, right through to temporary care for native species until they can be safely moved to NZ Bird Rescue, in Green Bay. As you probably already know, I have been absolutely inundated with requests to help the birds of East Auckland.