Bird rescue blog from New Zealand

Brown Quail and Californian Quail enjoying the aviary and sun

2012-01-21T12:37:00.001+13:00

Brown Quail, Californian Quail and a Chaffinch

2012-01-21T09:41:00.003+13:00

The Brown Quail and the younger Californian Quail are doing very well and during the day, they are now in an outside aviary. Brown Quail is more skittish than the Californian but both are very cute. Don't know what the future will be for them though - I worry about releasing them cos of cats and the Weka who attack the quail. For the moment, they seem quite content and seem quite good friends so time will tell.

The little Chaffinch is also in an outside aviary now and is a delightful little bird. Any newcomers to the aviary, she greets and welcomes and ends up cuddling into them. She is currently sharing aviary with a fledgling blackbird that is almost ready to be released and then hopefully, I can put a young Thrush in with her. At the moment the baby Thrush has a sore leg (caught by a cat) and I am keeping her quiet.

Not a pheasant chick.....

2011-12-26T11:05:00.002+13:00

Tis a Brown Quail chick. I have never seen a Brown Quail Chick in the wild but locals tell me that they are seen around here but are very shy birds - much more shy than the Californian Quail. However, this Brown Quail is thriving and has doubled in size and should be fine. It has made friends with my Chaffinch chick who is now fully grown and could be released but if I release her, Brown Quail will be lonely. So for the moment, they remain in a cage together.

The earlier C. Quail died unfortunately. Don't know why but just stopped eating. However, 4 days ago I was brought another C. Quail baby which was probably a day or two old. I have had it 4 days now and although it was a touch and go first 2 days, it is now feeding fairly well and gaining some weight. It is slightly bigger than a Bumble Bee now! Fingers crossed - I so hope I can pull this one through!

One quail and one pheasant chick?

2011-12-07T17:19:00.001+13:00

NOT a very good photo, sorry.

Baby Pheasant and baby Californian Quail in yesterday

2011-12-04T13:41:00.007+13:00

It was two baby pheasants but one died overnight unfortunately. The other pheasant and the little Quail are feeding a bit better today but it is always hard with such tiny ones.

The unknown fledgling is doing well but has a bit of a mangled foot - probably caused by the cat. It is too tiny to do anything with it at present though. Lulu the dove is doing well.
(Actually, it is not a pheasant - tis another quail I think and both are doing just fine.)

And, yesterday a juvenile Weka in that has been hit by a car. It has survived overnight and seems quite bright. Has eaten and both legs are working. How I shall relocate it with its family though, makes me wonder! Too young to be on its own. Last thing I want is another Weka in an aviary for months - they are so very noisy.

Dove & unknown baby bird

2011-12-02T10:29:00.006+13:00

The baby bird is now almost fledged and is a Chaffinch, I think. Very cute. Has a bit of a mangled foot but I am working on it.

This little Dove was brought to me over a week ago - caught by a cat and bleeding badly. I immediately got it on to antibiotics and a couple of days ago, a kind vet operated on the wing as a bone was protruding out. Dove 'Lulu' has to have a month of confinement and rest and then we will see if it can fly. I hope so!

And this little baby hatchling was brought to me also caught by a cat. I've had it 2 days now and I really never ever expected it to survive. It is still very fragile but is eating quite well. I'm not sure what species it is - I think perhaps a Silvereye but I'm only guessing.

The two hedgies 'Twinkles' and 'Winkles' are doing really well.

Another Tui in and two orphaned Hedgehogs

2011-11-24T16:01:00.004+13:00

(Young Tui and hedgehogs are doing just fine. Hedgies are now in outside aviary and learning to be noctural.)
Has been very windy here of late which doesn't help the baby birds at all. I was alerted to a fledgling Tui out of its nest a few days ago. Parents were trying to get it up but couldn't. It was 5.30 pm and the little one didn't stand much a chance so I brought it home. Has a small tail and is fully feathered and is very angry with me... but eating well.

Then today I was going to the shops and spied a wee hedgehog working on the verge - far too young to be on its own and out during the day. Obviously lost its Mum and was very hungry. Weighs 111 grams and needs to be between 300 to 500 grams to survive in the wild. Then, on the way home with this first little hedgie, I spied another in about the same place. So there are now two in my bathroom. Both have eaten well and they are now tucked up together. Sweet. I shall eventually get them into an aviary where they can grow and get big. I do love hedgehogs.

Tui chick

2011-11-05T19:23:00.004+13:00

Eeek, that time of the year again and a baby Tui blown out of its nest this morning. Was very cold and chilled but I now have it feeding. Fingers crossed! Tis very small though. Drat this wind!

Sadly this little mite died overnight. I must say I was surprised cos it was feeding well but who knows what internal damage it had sustained from falling from its nest. Sorry little Tui chick.

Forest and Bird voting time again

2011-10-29T09:23:00.002+13:00

http://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/

I want to get Paradise Shelducks voted bird of the year! Doubt it will happen but if you could cast a vote for my Shelduck, Daisy, it would be great. They are such neat birds.

Daisy my Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata)

2011-09-28T09:33:00.001+13:00

Aint she just beautiful!

Mallard update....

2011-09-03T20:30:00.003+12:00

Her leg is much improved and she finally waterproofed herself. She made good friends with my resident Daisy, the Shelduck. But (!)... unfortunately this morning she took off from our deck..... flew very strongly towards her original home. I was sad to see her go but pleased for her also... she was so much stronger and tis a good sign that she wanted to return to 'her' family. But I'm sad.. she was a delightful little duck and she certainly gave Daisy some good company. Here she is after a month of recoup... gained weight and was looking strong. I have people looking out for her in her 'old' area... I hope I get some reports of her!

Juvenile lame Mallard duck & a wild Weka visiting & plus a young Hedgehog

2011-08-08T17:01:00.004+12:00

Amusing thoughts.....

2011-08-06T20:48:00.002+12:00

Next year, I shall be 60. Never ever thought I would be 60... but do any of us? However, I like this age, very much.
More thoughtful, peaceful and knowing what is important in life.. which brings me to.... ahh, this little Shelduck Daisy. I've had a wonderful break through with her over last couple of days. Tis as though she finally knows, after 7 months, she can trust me. I can now hold her, cuddle her, rub her head and body and she 'chirrups' into my ear, nibbling on my ears, nose, eyes and mouth. Whether or not this has come about because I have another little duck in my care, I don't know. The new duck is a juvenile Mallard with a very sore leg. Daisy is not aggro to this little duck but perhaps she is telling me, SHE is top duck and that I don't need another duck in my life (which I don't!).

However, I'm just going to take it slowly with Daisy... continue this loving bond between us and then, perhaps, in a few days, try the harness on her.

July!

2011-07-26T15:56:00.003+12:00

Golly, where has the time gone? I haven't done a post since April. No excuse except computer problems, then broadband problems and birds taking up all my time. Plus since it is winter here in New Zealand, I have been knitting and crocheting hats and scarves and selling them locally to get some funds for my bird rescue.

Daisy, the Shelduck, is doing fine. I'm trying to teach her to walk on a cat harness but Daisy has other ideas :) I'd love to be able to take her out but have more control over her. She will mostly follow me about the garden but if she gets a fright, she won't listen to me. Not a lot of things frightens her except for planes going overhead and motor mowers. She is a great bird actually - every home should have one.

Had a series of sea birds in - the winds have been bad for them. Some have been released and some haven't survived unfortunately. Had a Kiwi in a few days ago that had been hit by a car but the poor thing had a badly damaged beak and wouldn't be able to get food so it was decided to euthanise it :( (I had sent the Kiwi to a more expert person than me so thank goodness, I didn't have to make that decision).

Spike, the Tui that I raised from a hatchling was released in March. Eventually he stopped visiting us and was mingling with other Tui which is what is meant to happen. However, a couple of weeks ago Spike returned to me with a broken leg. Thankfully, I managed to coerce him back into his old aviary and there he remains for the moment. He was very hungry when he came back and weak and I think he is quite relieved to be back. The break is high up unfortunately. Might have to have another attempt at releasing but will wait for better weather and less wind. I have seen Tui surviving in the wild with only one good leg but it is a hard life for them.

Daisy my Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata)

2011-04-24T10:29:00.002+12:00

White Fronted Tern

2011-04-20T10:39:00.002+12:00

This little bird came to me on 13th April. Found early that morning on somebody's boat, huddled down and hardly able to move. Upon examination the bird had a very bad infected wound under one wing and in the chest area. Used colloidal silver on the wound and put the bird on antibiotic for 3 days. The bird is now in an outside aviary and is much better. The infection in wound has gone, wound is healing up nicely and the bird is attempting to fly. Hopefully, this bird will survive and can be released to the wild.

Daisy, the Paradise Shelduck is doing just fine and never attempts to leave the property.

Pav the famous Pukeko is now at Tapeka, about 5 ks away and is doing well!

Spike, the Tui, is now coming and going from the aviary and is adapting to being wild, extremely well. He still flies back to his aviary for food and still lands on my head when I go outside - ouch!

Daisy, the Paradise Shelduct

2011-03-18T11:29:00.003+13:00

I have been worried about Daisy's droopy and broken wing - it seems to bother her and she pecks at it and it gets caught up between her legs so on Tuesday 15th, I took her to Charles Barnard, the wonderful vet at Kerikeri who pinned Ralph, the weka's leg after it was broken. (By the way, Ralph went to the Auckland Zoo last week to be part of their active breeding programme - a safer life for him since he has a limp and other weka in my garden would probably kill him. I was sad to see him go but he will have more space and a better life than shut in an aviary here).

Charles took one look at wing and decided Daisy would be better off without it hindering her. He operated straight away, gave her antibiotic, 2 dissolvable stitches and I was able to bring her home. She has had 2 days of confinement and today, she was able to have a bath for the first time. How she loved it!

Daisy is unreleasable now and will have to stay with me - I have undertaken to care for her. Not a chore at all as she is a lovely gentle affectionate bird. I only hope I can give her a good safe life.

February update

2011-02-24T10:41:00.002+13:00

Daisy the Paradise Shelduck is still with me. Her wing still droops but she is flapping it a bit. She is a nice bird.

I've had a few reports over the last few weeks about a rather large and friendly Pukeko down at the camping ground and seen on a walking track greeting people.

I went to the camping ground yesterday and got out of my car and immediately there appeared a large Pook at my side, doing a sort of flamingo dance. I said his name and he immediately put his head down for a head rub, I rubbed and when I stopped, he pecked at my shoe. Then another smaller younger Pook appeared and Pav went off chasing it out of 'his' territory. He didn't return to me. He looked fine, well fed and very much in charge. Just up above the camping ground there is a wonderful wetland area where he has been seen also, with other Pooks about.

I guess he has adjusted to the wild life but I've told the camp ground that if he becomes a nuisance, to please tell me, and I will endeavour to relocate him somewhere. I think if he can get through this winter, he will finally realise he is a pook and not a human and will, hopefully, find himself a mate in the spring. I do still miss him but sigh, guess I have done my job.

I love this photo of the shag sitting on my bird bath... Daisy the Shelduck was in the pond and it was as though the shag was waiting for his turn. As soon as Daisy vacated pond, shag was in there.

Today, my wild Pook, Malvina, decided to move on. I miss her too! But she might be back yet.

Cormorant (Shag) & Sparrows

2011-02-06T15:05:00.003+13:00

I've now released 13 sparrows and how wonderful it is to have them feeding themselves! They are coming back to me for food sometimes but I am keeping them well supplied in food outside... life is a little bit easier now :)

This juvenile Cormorant (Shag) has been finding it a struggle to get food and I've had many phone calls about. A lovely group of kids were protecting it yesterday and asked me to go look at it. Nothing wrong with it except it is too thin and too relying on humans for food. I've brought it home and it seems quite happy for the moment eating all my hubby's bait - just as well he is away at present :)

I shall feed it up for a few days and then get it taken to one of the islands I think. Safer for it out there rather than around all the boats and people. Bit of a character of a bird.... loves having its head rubbed.

Paradise Shelduck

2011-02-05T09:12:00.005+13:00

On 14th January this Paradise Shelduck was brought to me after being found on Paihia beach surrounded by a group of yucky boys who were trying to kill it. This bird, I believe, is one of the 7 rescued and sent to the Duck Sanctuary to be reared.
In December these 7 were released on to farm land at Opua and I think this bird, being handreared, was not wary enough of humans, unfortunately.

Anyway, 'Daisy' may or may not fly again but meanwhile, she seems very content foraging in my garden and being fed. She follows me about calling for me, chases all the other birds away and my cats. I like her very much.

I'm getting ready to release all my sparrows - released 2 the other day but they returned to me :)

Bottom photo is Daisy upon arrival and top photo was taken yesterday.

Birds birds and more birds

2011-01-10T09:20:00.002+13:00

These little sparrows were brought to me on 28th December.... the nest had fallen from a tree. They were probably only a day or two old. Now they are feathered up and almost ready to be moved into a cage, then an aviary and then released.

The tui below is Spike, who is looking really good and I will work on his release shortly.
The kingfisher came to me as a youngster and I am in the process of releasing this bird. He has been in an aviary for about a week but is not practising his flying skills but will return to me for food and is quite pleased to be put back in the aviary at nightime. Neat seeing this bird learning things in the big outside.

Has been a busy few weeks with quail chicks, blackbirds etc.

The sad news is..... Pav, my Pukeko, left home on Christmas night and I haven't seen him since. I have looked, all of Russell has been looking for him as he is so well known around here but not a sighting. I hope he is okay and I hope he will come back but he had become very restless and aggressive with being confined. It is terrible not knowing though and I do fret about the dratted bird. The female wild Pook with the gammy leg, remains. She is no trouble and I do put out food for her as with her leg she does seem to find it hard in the wild. So wish Pav had fallen for her.... sigh.

December update for birds

2010-12-15T10:08:00.003+13:00

Just a few photos. About a week ago a wild Pukeko flew in to our section attracted, I think, by Pav. It must have injured its leg at some stage cos it limps and has a strange awkward gait but it hasn't moved on yet. Pav has attacked it a couple of times and doesn't seem interested in it as a mate but time will tell. Not that I want Pukeko babies but if they do get together, perhaps that would be a wonderful opportunity to relocate Pav and 'his' family to a safe wild place. We shall see.

We are drought conditions yet again and the birds are finding it really hard to find food. I am feeding them all and my garden is now full of Weka also. As you can see by the photos, they seem to get on with Pav and 'Malvina' (wild Pook), and now that I have started feeding them, no outbreaks of fighting occur.

The photo of Ruby, my Rainbow Lorikeet is of her first bath. Gosh, they love water! She is doing so well and I now have a lovely huge cage for her with toys. She looks very happy and is turning into a very nice little bird.

Little Silvereye is doing well - growing new flight feathers and the injury to her head has healed. Another very nice little bird and I shall soon move her into an aviary, when I have a free one.

Silvereye hatchling

2010-12-01T10:33:00.003+13:00

...was brought to me last week. Must have fallen from the nest and kind folk noticed some myna birds attacking it. Tiny little bird had a puncture wound to head and all the flight feathers on one wing have been ripped out. Head wound was swollen and sore and gave the bird tiny (!) amount of antibiotic plus used colloidal silver on wound and in food. A week later, the little mite is still alive, eating well and very lively and I can see the flight feathers coming through again.

AND... Ruby my Rainbow Lorikeet at almost 7 weeks of age.

Update on tui hatchling

2010-11-15T14:52:00.003+13:00

Very much alive and well! Looks a sight for sore eyes but is doing well. Very pleased.
Sadly the little sparrow died. RIP little sparrow and I had another tiny (!) tui baby brought to me the other day that had fallen from its nest and after a few days, this little one died also. The little chick was just too little.. never seen one that small before.

A person brought me an adult male Californian Quail that their cat had brought in. In a sorry state, given it antibiotics today but I really don't expect it to live. Darn darn cats! I love them (at times) but their hunting traits make me soo cross.

Anyway, here is Spike today... he Will look better in a wee while :)

Tui hatchling in yesterday

2010-10-30T12:25:00.003+13:00

Unfortunately, must have fallen from the nest and a person's cat got it. By the time I got it, the neck which had been either bitten or clawed by the cat, had swollen up like a balloon and I was advised to cut a tiny hole to allow the poisonous gas out. It was fairly nerve wracking doing this but was told the bird would die without me doing this. I did it, the gas escaped and I bathed the area with colloidal silver and worried all night long. However, at 6 am the bird was alive albeit rather sore but is eating. I am hopeful that this bird may live. It is very little though - probably about 5 days old. Poor picture of it but my arms weren't long enough :)

Also got in today a tiny little sparrow that had fallen from nest and been on the ground for a while. It is eating but just keeping an eye on its breathing for the moment.

Birds, birds and more birds

2010-10-21T09:22:00.005+13:00

Earlier this month I had a wee blackbird fledgling brought to me and this little one is doing well. Just weaning her/him which is always a long process with blackies I find. Bird is in aviary during the day now and am making sure it knows how to feed itself before I release it. Also had in a very young thrush but unfortunately, the lady who found this bird, had fed it milk and although I hoped I could save the bird, it died after 4 days with me. Poor little mite :(

Ralph the Weka is still not walking well on that broken leg. He has another week in confinement and then we will assess but I am not hopeful of him being released to the wild. Unsure what I will do with him :(

Pav the Pook, continues to rule the roost.

AND, not sure if I have done the right thing at all but have been talked into taking on a Rainbow Lorikeet chick. It isn't with me yet but will arrive in the next few days. Have done much reading up about them and I hope it will survive with me. It is about 2 weeks old. So, never a dull moment!

OH! I forgot Millie the sparrow. I released her a week ago - she was away for 4 days coming back for food and then the weather packed in - nasty squalls and rain and Millie came back to the safety of her aviary. The weather has been not particularly nice ever since and Millie seems very content to stay in her aviary, swinging away on her swing and getting plenty of food. Will try again with releasing her when the weather is more settled. In December she will be a year old.

Meet Ruby or Rube' (if a boy). Came to me on 22/10/10 at 2 weeks old approximately. Doing well, I think, but never raised a Lorikeet before~!

More Paradise Shelduck ducklings in...

2010-10-01T13:32:00.003+13:00

29/9/10 These 6 ducklings were found floating in the sea with no parents about - a passing yacht thankfully spied them and brought them into Russell. I collected them... they were very wet and very cold. Quickly got them warmed up and dry and got them feeding after a little while. Very cute wee birds and by evening were doing really well. The next morning I had them taken to the Duck Sanctuary and have heard they are doing well. Such cute little birds!

Paradise Shelduck duckling

2010-09-22T08:10:00.006+12:00

Yesterday I handed this little bird over to a Duck Sanctuary. The lady who runs it had other Paradise ducklings that had been orphaned and I decided it would be better for this little one to be with other ducklings and therefore, not bond with me. A hard decision but for once I let my head rule my heart. Best thing for the little bird. And I hear, she is doing well.

This little mite was found in Kerikeri on 18/9/10 separated from its parents. Dear little bird and now eating well. Got my fingers crossed for its survival.

A Weka call!

2010-09-17T14:18:00.002+12:00

Finally managed to capture the Weka call - this is Ralph.

Forest and Bird 'favourite' bird of the year

2010-09-09T12:00:00.003+12:00

Please vote!

Self and Pukeko friends are having a bit of fun and madness drumming up votes. This is our Press Release and Campaign button -

PRESS RELEASE :
Local Pukeko, Pavarotti Jackson, has announced he will put himself forward
for re-selection to Forest and Bird's Top New Zealand Bird list this
year.

In 2009 Pav, and The Pukeko Party, took themselves from relative obscurity
to 10th spot on the list of dozens.

Pav is confident they will do even better this year with your support.
On-line voting for the 2010 list begins on September 13th at www.forestandbird.org.nz.
At his recent campaign launch, Pav said that in these early days of the public face of the Pukeko party, members do not expect to take the top few spots, but they will be around for the long haul in the years to come.
He hopes, with increased awareness, New Zealanders will realise the true value of pooks to society and the economy and they might, one day, become national icons
The benefits they offer are that they are not endangered, they don’t hide themselves away, they do fly, and they are devastatingly attractive. They come in New Zealand’s traditional colours of red, white and blue – and black. Perfect for inclusion on future flag designs.
It goes without saying, they are smart. They already have their own television spots promoting community well-being with their energy-saving and safety tips.
So don’t forget to vote PUKEKO at www.forestandbird.org.nz Top Bird poll from September 13th.
Pav would also like to remind voters and supporters that spring is an excellent time to begin cultivating ginormous green bean crops .

Ralph, my Weka......

2010-09-06T09:03:00.003+12:00

Unfortunately, has a badly broken leg above the hock. He was x-rayed last week and was operated on by a wonderful vet (Charles Barnard) and has had a pin inserted in his leg. He is all bandaged up and finding it very tiresome to get comfortable but he is eating well and resting. I have to take him back to the vet at the w/end when he will be x-rayed again, bandages taken off and assessed. Vet is not sure that Ralph will gain full use of the leg but I have my fingers crossed. I certainly hope so.
He's a dear little bird, certainly knows me and talks to me every time I go to feed him or check on him. It will be a long confinement for him, however - probably about 6 weeks in a cage.

Bird update

2010-08-30T09:56:00.004+12:00

Bertie the juvenile Black backed gull went to Aroha Island sanctuary last week and hopefully, he will exercise that wing more and eventually fly.

Sadly, yesterday my little Silvereye died. Have no idea why - had this little bird since early July and she was happy, eating well, very tame and seemed fine but was dead yesterday morning. She may have been an old bird and at the end of her life when she was found but I comfort myself with the fact that she had had a happy few weeks - fed, warm and not at all stressed by her captivity.

Unfortunately (!) last week I saw a Weka in my garden crawling up the driveway with one leg hanging uselessly. I went rushing out and never thought it would be my Ralph but it was. Very exhausted, very dehydrated and a very sad bird :(

I've had him in intensive care this last week and his health is much better but his leg is still very bad. Doing Arnica treatments many times during the day and I think I can see some slight improvement but it will be a long period of confinement for him. But he is eating well and I've got everything crossed for a recovery.

And, of course, no post complete without Pav below :)

Photos.....

2010-08-17T14:03:00.005+12:00

Ralph is visiting daily now.... lovely to see him! Bertie the juvenile Black Backed Seagull is still not flying... the bandage is off but the wing is still droopy..... giving him more time. I had all three birds out in the garden with me today, Pav, Ralph and Bertie... they all seem to be ignoring one another mostly until Ralph comes along and pinches Pav's green beans, then Pav will run off and pinch Bertie's fish pieces.... he doesn't want to eat them but he doesn't want Bertie eating them! They are all funny.

Ralph, the Weka pays me a visit!

2010-08-09T13:02:00.001+12:00

6 months after him going free.... the weather has been stormy, wet and cold and Ralph was very very pleased to feed up large...... just wonderful to see him!

Pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio) - NZ Swamp Hen

2010-08-04T10:17:00.004+12:00

Inside, cos it is blowing a gale and he doesn't like it :)

More birds in....

2010-07-26T09:16:00.004+12:00

On the 6th of this month I was brought a little Silvereye with a very sore leg and was struggling to survive - the poor little bird had actually fallen into a bowl of sugar water and by the time the bird was brought to me it was in a very sad state.
I have tried fixing the leg but I think the leg has been broken at the 'ankle' and the foot is curled in. Had the little bird in a cage ever since and building it up on Complan/honey mixture, fruits etc. The bird seems quite content in a cage and calls to the other Silvereyes and will wait and see what happens. Hopefully, when the weather warms up she will be releaseable.

In our spare bedroom I currently have 2 Blackbirds - one hit by a car and although he can fly, he is not able to stand very well and am hoping this is due to severe bruising from the impact. Very feisty bird. Yesterday, another male Blackbird was brought to me that someone's cat had got. This one is on antibiotic and hopefully, I can save him.

And, a Kereru (NZ Native Wood Pigeon) - this brought to me a couple of days ago and was found on the side of the road. I think has been hit by a car and the top of the wing has been dragged on the road and badly scuffed with loss of feathers and bleeding. I have bathed this area with colloidal silver and wound after 2 days looks good. Another very lively bird who is already wanting out of cage. Pigeon is eating well and pooing well.

To top it all off, I have a seagull being brought to me - droopy wing and can't fly.

I thought winter was supposed to be quiet for birds! :)

The Kereru was released this morning - the wound had healed up nicely and bird was very active wanting to go. The blackbird that had been attacked by cat was dead this morning, unfortunately. Other blackbird moved to an outside aviary and 'Bertie' the juvenile Black backed Gull is doing well. His broken wing is taped to his body and he looks very comfortable and content sitting on a towel in outdoor aviary. He can eat!

Gallirallus australis - Weka (swamp hen or Woodhen)

2010-07-12T19:49:00.003+12:00

I'm tired and upset about picking up Weka off our roads that have been hit by cars. Last week I collected one that had a bad break above the hip, at the knee and was euthanised. Sad.... such beautiful birds.

Today I was brought one that had been found in a field... disorientated, falling over - no wounds on it though. When I got the bird on to a heat pad it sort of hunkered down into the heat with its tummy and it reminded me of monthly sore tummy times..... I thought 'bird has something going on down there, is in pain and I have to try everything to save it'. I gave it bird rescue remedy, some homepathic remedy drops for shock and trauma and then syringed about a tablespoon of olive oil down its throat. Got the bird very nicely warm and left it quiet for a few hours. By 2 pm this bird was standing upright, not falling over, had done horrid back runny poos everywhere and by 3 pm, bird was eating...... Weka is in tonight on slight heat and I hope I can release him/her tomorrow back to where it was found. Yeah... I am very thrilled at this. Weka was eating out of my hand this afternoon.... such beautiful birds!

Having one succcess makes up, sort of, for the others that I lose...... :)

Pukeko in a bottle

2010-07-04T16:51:00.004+12:00

My brother makes beautiful handcrafted ships in bottles which sell for over $300.

I've been suggesting to him that he tries a Pook in a bottle to see if it sells. I badly need to get some funding for caring for all these birds and he has done this one to see if it would sell. This is a pook on a raft hanging on to a bottle of wine for dear life until the raft reaches land. I think it is quite cute. Going to try it on trademe.co.nz

Birdie update

2010-06-28T10:39:00.003+12:00

Both Tuis have now left home and no longer return to the aviary at night. I see them about in my garden and they are doing well and mixing and mingling with the wild tui. Interesting, both left at around 6 months of age whereas in the wild they have generally left their parents at about 2 months of age. I hope they have long happy lives the pair of them - it is quite quiet now without them landing on my head or shoulder when I stepped outside.

I also had a visit from Ralph the Weka this morning - at least I am fairly sure it was him. He wasn't frightened or wary of me and when I put some spaghetti on the ground, he ran to it. Pav wasn't at all happy to see Ralph and tried chasing him off but Ralph mostly, ignored him.

Pav is fine.... he has his restless moments, generally when the temperature is warmer..... sometimes I feel a bit mean not letting him go free when he has these restless wander lusts but the other day, I picked up a poor dead pukeko on the road that had been hit by a car..... am sure this is what would happen to Pav if he left my garden. So looks as though Pav is here for life..... heck, I wonder how long Pukeko live for? :) :)

Just Pav, the Pukeko photos

2010-06-01T16:08:00.002+12:00

Morepork... NZ Native Owl 'Ruru'

2010-05-24T20:15:00.002+12:00

May photos of all my birds

2010-05-20T10:56:00.002+12:00

May update - our drought has certainly broken this month and our water tanks are now overflowing. Not particularly cold as yet and Pav, the Pukeko, is loving the rain as you can see from his photos. Drummer, the Tui, has now left the aviary and doesn't return at night. He is doing well. Tui Tecker is coming along nicely - her leg has healed and she is coming and going from the aviary during the day. Flying strongly and as you can see, flies in and lands on my head! Very funny bird this one :)

Prue, the dove has gone to live in an aviary with Robert in Whangarei. He has other ringneck doves and since Prue was unable to fly, she can have company of the other doves in the aviary. I thought that this was best for her.

Millie, the sparrow, refuses to leave her aviary. I will try a slow release of her come spring when the weather warms up.

My newest wait is a little seagull that was found on Russell beach a few days ago. Hurt leg and wing and was very weak.
I suspect this bird had been hit by a car and one of her wings has been run over. The wing is not broken but the flight feathers were all crushed and mangled. I have trimmed these flight feathers right back, am treating the leg with Arnica, and hopefully, once her flight feathers have grown again, she will be releaseable. Meantime, she sits in an aviary, undercover and is eating well. Much more fiesty with me now which is a positive sign.

Good progress for RingNecked Dove

2010-04-05T13:32:00.003+12:00

After a week in intensive care, this little bird has come right.... the healing of the head is just amazing.... I believe the colloidal silver has healed this very bad wound. Bird is now outside in small aviary... still not attempting to fly though. The bad eye is actually a lot better than in these photos now.

Ringnecked Dove

2010-03-31T12:34:00.003+13:00

This little ringnecked Dove was brought to me on Saturday 27th March.. it was found in the morning on someone's lawn looking very very sad. Nasty wound on the top of its head, very angry-looking, swollen and infected. Treated the wound with colloidal silver and tried to clean it up a bit. The bird's left eye was covered over in blood and had a feather sticking in it. Today I cleaned that eye up with saline solution and worked that 'crust' off... the eye is there and I think is undamaged but still very sore looking and the head is still swollen. First 2 photos are when I first got her and last 3 I took today... I hope this plucky little bird survives this! Such a sweet little gentle bird.

I now have a Weka and a Pukeko living in my garden

2010-03-28T09:02:00.003+13:00

..... not in perfect harmony but getting better. Ralph the Weka is now free to come and go and wanders far more than Pav does who is a homebody, very much, thank goodness. It has been a rather harrowing week releasing Ralph and I still worry about him in this area with cars, dogs and people. I would far rather have released him somewhere safter but a lot of our Kiwi sanctuaries don't want Weka alongside of Kiwi plus I have read that Weka have an incredible homing instinct. We will see what happens but basically I've done my bit in raising him, and releasing him. I hope he will find a mate and eventually go off and be wild cos I don't really want another big bird to care for, feed and wreck my garden - Pav does it quite well on his own! :)

Ralph and Drummer

2010-03-12T12:03:00.003+13:00

Ralph the Weka is doing good. He is now 12 weeks old and yesterday I let him out of the aviary in my garden.. just for a little while and I stood watch over him. He didn't run off and I slowly increase his times out. I haven't introduced him to Pav as yet and don't know if these two will get on but hopefully, they will - otherwise I don't know what I will do. Drummer the Tui is coming and going from aviary also. No new birds in (thank goodness) and hopefully, things will get quieter now.

Ralph, the Weka at 9 weeks of age

2010-02-17T11:10:00.005+13:00

Ralph, the weka is starting to look like a weka now and he/she is doing well. Cute friendly little bird and not sure what I will do with him, as yet. Have a few options but too early yet to decide.

Other birds are all fine. My Tui 'Drummer' is now in and out of the aviary and learning to fly better... I rather wish he would decide to leave for good because I have another younger tui that needs Drummer's aviary. Time will tell. On the other hand I am very pleased he is coming and going from aviary because we are still in drought conditions with no rain for about 5 months now; hence food supply for the wildlife is scarce plus a lack of water for them. We think it is hard on us but far worse for the animals. I have bowls of water out all over the garden and am feeding the birds heaps to help them through.

Millie the sparrow is still in aviary and doesn't want to budge. Pav the puke is still creating havoc in my garden and I doubt he will ever leave :)

Ralph, the Weka is getting bigger - 7 weeks old now

2010-02-06T10:14:00.002+13:00

The sparrow who doesn't want to leave home!

2010-01-25T12:42:00.003+13:00

Meet Millie, the sparrow, who doesn't like other sparrows and makes no attempt whatsoever to leave her aviary.

Update

2010-01-22T14:44:00.002+13:00

It has been a busy few days again. Ralph, the Weka, continues to grow and is just beginning to get the weka colours on his wings. He is doing well.

My swallows are surviving the wild well - often when I walk outside they 'buzz' me overhead and chatter and its lovely to see them and know they are okay. Pav the Puke is just fine and not a lot of trouble these days. Millie, the sparrow, will not leave home and refuses to budge out of her aviary and Drummer the Tui, although he did go free for an afternoon, doesn't seem to want to leave again - they must be fed too well!

Have a juvenile Blackbird in that was caught by a cat but it is doing well and some little boys brought me yesterday, a young Thrush who had been hit by a car. Very droopy wing and am keeping her quiet.

It has been an extremely harsh summer on the wildlife - up here in Northland we have had drought conditions and the wildlife has found it hard getting food for themselves and their young. We've just had 2 inches of rain and now its very windy.

Remember Peanut, the little Californian quail?

2010-01-04T14:45:00.004+13:00

She came to me as a tiny chick back in February 2009. I kept her over the winter months and in about August, she made friends with a solitary male quail and they become a pair. I released both of these to a safe haven in August and there they remained being fed daily and being free.

Strangely, about 3 weeks ago I noticed a pair of quail in my garden, haunting the aviaries where I had reared Peanut, completely at ease foraging alongside of Pav the Pukeko and very very tame towards me. I wondered if it could possibly be Peanut and Brittle and I am now 99% sure it is them. The couple who were keeping an eye on these two birds went away on holiday and whilst they were away, some contractors came in to do some heavy machinery work on the farm. When Keith and Grace returned from holiday there was no sign of Peanut and her mate. Around about this stage was when I first notice these 2 quail visiting me. The farm is approximately 5 kilometres from me. I have talked to a few bird 'experts' and they say that most birds will return to where they were raised and travelling 5 k's home, is nothing.

So much for finding these birds a safe haven! It is a worry with them about with my 2 cats plus the road but they have survived thus far so what will be will be. They visit me first thing in the morning around 7 am and again in the evening. When I have an aviary free from birds and the weather cools down, I will offer them a 'room' for the winter if they wish. Dear little birds... Peanut was probably one of the nicest birds I have raised - no trouble at all. Here they are yesterday - Brittle keeping watch from the top of the aviary whilst Peanut feeds and drinks.

Ralph, the Banded Rail (Rallus philippensis)

2010-01-01T13:44:00.006+13:00

Is no longer a Banded Rail chick.... he's a Weka!

This little Banded Rail chick is going to go to the Auckland Zoo to join its captive breeding programme. Have had to get DoC permission for this and when the paperwork is completed, Ralph will be going there. I am pleased about this as he has bonded rather to me and I can't see myself being able to release him to the wild.

Banded Rail, Morepork, Sparrows and now Welcome Swallows!

2009-12-27T11:06:00.004+13:00

The 3 sparrows are now released to my garden and are doing well. Still visiting the aviary where I leave food out for them but they mingling with the wild sparrows which is good. The Welcome Swallows were let go this morning (9/1/10) and two of them seem to doing really well. Was amazing watching them fly off and gain more confidence with flying. One kept divebombing me and I watched them for quite a while. Haven't seen them this afternoon but it is very hot. I will keep looking out for them.

My 3 sparrows are doing very well and are now in a cage, fully feathered and just about ready for release. The Morepork (NZ Native Owl) is at Whangarei Bird Recovery as he needed veterinary care for his bad eye. The Banded Rail is doing well and I now have since yesterday, 4 Welcome Swallow to rear. Apparently, the nest had smashed to the ground and was in pieces and these 4 swallows were huddled nearby with no parent in sight. These 4 will be a big challenge but I have got them eating quite well.

Banded Rail in last night

2009-12-23T11:00:00.002+13:00

And now a Morepork in - a juvenile with a damaged eye.

20th December 2009

2009-12-22T11:31:00.004+13:00

Was handed these 3 baby sparrows on 20/12/09. All in the one nest that was on the ground with no parents about. Three sparrows but all different ages - very strange! One tiny tiny with no feathers, one slightly larger with a few feathers and the third with feathers and a wee tail. How this came about I have no idea. However, 2 days later and they are doing well - feeding well and poo'ing well.

'Drummer' the tui is also doing well... he must be about 6 weeks old now and is just getting the white feathers under his beak. 'Millie' the little female sparrow is coming along well but doesn't like the other 3 sparrows at all.

I'm badly needing another aviary for all these birds..... all 3 of my present aviaries are now taken up with these various birds.....

Not forgetting Pav.....

2009-12-07T11:42:00.003+13:00

Pav was a year old on 5th December! Actually, it feels, sometimes, like he's been around for about 10 years!
This lovely birthday card was sent to him by a friend..... what a bird!

Sparrow chick & Tui fledgling

2009-12-07T11:25:00.004+13:00

I also have a Tui fledgling that was brought to me on 21st November as a very young one that had been thrown out of nest. This bird must have been chilled cos it also had that death rattle in its lungs. Gave it antiobiotic twice daily for 3 days and bird is fine. Now in outside aviary during the day, eating well - mashed banana with baby rice farex and apple sauce, a bit of jellimeat, sugar/water and introducing 'Drummer' to nectar plants so that he can learn to feed himself (or herself). A character of a bird indeed.

On Thursday, 3/12/09 I had a call that a sparrow chick had fallen from a nest up high and was down on the ground.
When I went down to see to the bird, it was rather poorly and I couldn't get it back in nest... besides the bird needed attention. Had a sore foot and had cut under its tummy. I imagine this little scrap would be about 2 weeks old but not sure... mostly feathered but with hardly any tail.

I gave sparrow tiny (!) dose of antibiotic, twice daily for 3 days and thank goodness, this got rid of the 'death rattle' in its lungs. It is now Monday 7th and 'Millie' seems fine. Eating well - mixing Vitapet mix with cooked egg yolk and little bird is feeding herself, also loves banana, lettuce and soon should be getting interested in seeds. Not interested in jellimeat at all.

Pheasant chick

2009-11-18T08:48:00.005+13:00

I was driving home from the shops yesterday afternoon and was waved down by a person who was pointing at something in the middle of the road. I stopped in the middle of the road and got out and there in front of my car was a little pheasant chick absolutely still ..... I reached down and grabbed it before it had time to shoot away. I would think this chick is about a day or two old. It has survived the night, is very difficult to feed but I've got a little food into it. I collected wild seeds from my garden, a bit of lettuce, parsley, clover and it has been pecking at these....also getting moisture off leaves which is good. At present it seems quite content huddled into woolly blankets on top of a heatpad and I am hopeful. Not a very good photo but shows you its size.....

Unfortunately this little chick has developed a splayed leg... I took it to vet yesterday who suggested euthanising it but I can't. It is eating very well, is completely unafraid of me and after researching on the internet and talking to my bird guru, I have 'hobbled' its wee legs.... the hobble should stay on for 2 to 3 days and then hopefully, this might correct the problem. I was stressed out doing this and the bird was also but if it works, all be fine. The vet suggested that this problem is due to a vitamin deficiency and maybe why the chick was left behind, and with this vitamin deficiency, the bird may die anyway. Not sure if she is right but time will tell and I will keep on trying. Dear little chick :)

Very sadly this little one didn't survive. I tried 'binding' her splayed leg to the good one but it did not work. Yesterday, 'Milner' was looking sad and forlorn and today I helped ease her into the next world. Very sad and I wish it could have been different. But she had had enough and I believe she was in pain. RIP dear little pheasant chick :( :(

Duckling

2009-11-17T10:46:00.002+13:00

Friends had been watching an injured duckling for a few days and reported that it was getting weaker and weaker and couldn't keep up with Mum Duck and siblings... it had a very sore leg and they feared for its survival. Yesterday they brought the wee duckling to me and so far, it is doing well. Eating well, resting, loving tucking into a heatpad and a teddy and I'm rubbing arnica into the leg three times a day. 'Daryl' is its name or perhaps Darleen? Peter and Gill who brought the bird to me had named it and Daryl, for some unknown reason, seems to suit it.

News on birds.....

2009-11-08T15:42:00.004+13:00

The hatchling, now a fledgling, 'Poppy', has been moved into my aviary and I am still feeding her but teaching her how to eat worms, insects and fend for herself.....

"Bubbles' is now released into my garden and visiting on and off throughout the day for food. This one is a male and getting his male plumage now. He is doing well.

Sadly, Lillebo, the badly injured blackbird, will never fly. One wing is useless due to injuries. Lillebo misses Bubbles and has not bonded with Poppy at all and it is very difficult having her in the aviary when she is still so fearful of me. She causes my other fledglings to be frightened of me and then it is difficult teaching them how to fare for themselves. So, Lillebo travels to Robert in Whangarei this afternoon...(Whangarei Bird Rescue).... Robert will take Lillebo to his home in the country where he releases other birds that are having difficulties in the wild... they can choose to use his aviary for shelter and food and have excursions outside.... this will be a better life for Lillebo that shut in my small aviary all year round.

Pav the pukeko is in spring mode this last week and keeps going walkabout. He jumps out over the fence on to the road and off I go after him.... sad that he wants a mate but I can't let him go as he wouldn't last long in the big world out there.... however, I have discovered that Rescue Remedy works a treat with him and calms him right down. If I can only get him over the next couple of weeks, hopefully, his urges will disappear. Thank goodness I have the larger aviary to plonk him in if he gets totally unruly!
He is quite content in his 'apartment'... I built him a lovely shelf that he can roost on and he sits up there on his pillow and towel, chuntering away. Such a funny bird and generally, very content..... away spring urges, away! :)

Pav, my Pukeko

2009-11-02T12:45:00.002+13:00

News on birds....

2009-11-01T10:38:00.003+13:00

I released the mallard duck yesterday at Moojebing Farm - lovely pond and land and a few other Mallards in residence... hopefully he will have a happy life. He certainly looked pleased to be free and out of my aviary. Whilst there I also saw Peanut and Brittle (Peanut's beau). They look absolutely fine and happy. No sign of baby quail yet but perhaps a little bit early.

The hatchling is now a fledgling and will soon go into aviary with other two blackbirds - Bubbles needs to be released very soon from the aviary and Lillebo will be company for new little fledgling 'Poppy'. Lillebo's wing still droops but she is fluttering/flying a bit. Have got my fingers crossed that with time, she may be releasable.

And a few photos from today..... the aviary is Pav's new house for the nighttime and when we are out.... he loves it!

Pavorotti, the Pukeko sunning himself....

2009-10-25T08:44:00.002+13:00

Pav met the children from Playcentre and Dozie their puppet pet :)

Tiny hatchling

2009-10-18T07:49:00.005+13:00

A week later!

Brought to me yesterday. Perhaps a blackbird but unsure. It has survived the night and is feeding well but is very little and fragile.

It is growing! :)

Kereru - Wood Pigeon & a Duck in yesterday

2009-10-17T13:13:00.003+13:00

Wood pigeon found in another town on the ground and brought to me. Can't see any visible wounds and imagine it has crashed into something. Keeping it quiet, warm and will try to get it feeding today.

Also a poor little duck was brought to me that either a dog or a cat had had a go at. The duck was bleeding down its side and looking very shocked and sore. Bathed the area in a saline solution and tucked it into a box for the night. Today it is feeding quite well and is moving about a bit more, so I think not so sore. Hopefully, a few days of rest will fix it and I can let it go back with its family.

So a busy time with 5 birds to look after - well Pav the Puke doesn't need so much looking after now but I have to constantly check where he is in the garden, IF he is still in the garden and what plant he is pulling out! Has a great fascination for our vege garden unfortunately! Dratted bird :)

Sadly, the Kereru (Wood Pigeon) was dead in its box this morning. Not a mark on the bird.... not an old bird either.
Very sad I couldn't help this one :(

Bubbles & Lillebo

2009-10-13T11:41:00.002+13:00

Bubbles is doing well as are his two siblings outside... two outside siblings are almost feeding themselves now and Mr and Mrs Squeak have introduced to two young ones to my feeders. They should be fine now. Bubbles is still demanding food from me but is feeding himself/herself a bit better in the aviary.

Lillebo (a blackbird fledgling not a thrush) - named by a friend - 'Lille' in Danish means small and the bo stands for broken one :) Still fairly scared of me when I get close but when I sit in the aviary with them both, Lillebo will come around my feet. The wing looks fairly damaged though..... hangs down and there is a big scar on top of the wing. Will give it another week and hopefully, little bird might start trying to use that wing. Her balance is a lot better and she hops about the aviary and seems happy enough.

Bird news...

2009-10-06T16:16:00.003+13:00

October here and should be spring but not much sign of it as yet. Very very windy conditions and chilly.... very hard on the fledglings and I'm putting extra food out for them all and hoping for warmer times.

Pavorotti the pukeko, doesn't seem to mind the wet and cool though... he just spends all day eating fresh green beans, corn, apple and I shall never need to prune my roses again I fear.

Bubbles the blackbird fledgling is growing... this bird has done well and is getting better at feeding on its own. I would imagine that I could release this bird in a few weeks but want it to be warmer and want to make sure she is feeding all her own... (her? might be a boy yet).

Yesterday, the SPCA in Kerikeri sent me over a fledgling thrush that had been caught by a cat and pretty badly injured.
The bird has been on antibiotics for 3 days prior to me getting it. A very different little bird... it will not take food from me at all... but will feed on its own, which is highly unusual for a little fledgling of this age. I've endeavoured to spend some time with it today; it is so much easier if a bird is not terrified of me. But this little bird will not be won over at all. I'm not sure if this bird will ever fly.... it seems to get unbalanced and fall over and takes a minute to stand up again. Not sure about this little feisty bird but will give it a while and see what happens. I guess, perhaps the poor little thing is badly traumatised from the cat attack and anything, like my hand, reaching out towards it, it might think is more hurt and pain. I hope this is all what is wrong with it. The wounds on the bird look dried out and healthy.

This little bird is still alive and fiesty. Still absolutely terrified of me but perhaps a little better with me today. I got it this afternoon into my big aviary with Bubbles, the other blackie fledgling and I sat there with them both. Little feisty one would hop about my feet but as soon as I reached out a hand, off it went calling in alarm. It walks/hops fine but it doesn't seem able to fly.... it would try to jump on to a ledge, then fall backwards and couldn't right itself easily. This may, hopefully, be from the bite which is probably still sore... I hope this is the case... I don't really want a non-flying, feisty blackbird in my care..... sigh.

Bubbles' first bath today

2009-10-02T16:30:00.001+13:00

Can you help please?

2009-10-02T10:38:00.004+13:00

Our Forest & Bird Society is holding their yearly 'favourite bird' poll. Pukekos are well liked by some here in New Zealand but not liked by many.... people say they are destructive birds, ruin the pasture etc etc... and attack ducklings and other chicks. Well, I guess when hungry they do attack and eat other birds but many many birds do this unfortunately. After having Pav the Puke for nearly 11 months, he is a wonderful bird... very affectionate, very funny and when fed well, gets on with the other birds that forage about in my wild garden.

Anyway, I digress... could you please cast a vote for pukekos... you have to scroll down = pukekos are about the 20th bird on the page. He's up to 236 votes and in previous years, they haven't even rated... so please vote for me and Pav :)

http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/poll

A windy Spring in New Zealand

2009-10-02T09:57:00.002+13:00

The wind continues and the temperatures are not wonderful for supposedly spring. However, Squeak and Mrs Squeak are great parents and their two fledglings are getting stronger and more adventurous. I wish they would move away a bit from the house cause they are vulnerable to the wind and my two pesky cats. Thankfully, Ollie, my male cat, is older now and is not that interested in birds and Hester, my younger female cat, is interested in the birds but has no teeth so doesn't do much damage other than chase the birds. Also Pav the pukeko, doesn't particularly like birds in his territory so when the fledglings do come to the ground, Pav chases them up into the trees.... I never thought a Pukeko in the garden could be a blessing!

'Bubbles' the third fledgling of Squeak, is doing well... eating well and because of this awful weather, I haven't put him back with his family. He seems perfectly content being fed every 20 minutes and being in captivity. I shall begin teaching him to catch worms and get him ready for release.

Mr and Mrs Thrush brought their 2 babies to my feeder this morning. Lovely to see the little ones.

A lesson in trust (from a bird)

2009-09-27T17:29:00.001+13:00

I've been watching Squeak, the male blackbird I raised during the summer of 2008, find a mate and raise 3 chicks. He's a busy father and a very protective father. He and Mrs Squeak built a fine nest in a tree near our house and Squeak has been constantly harassing me for food. Our so-called spring has been hard on the young ones and the day before yesterday, all three fledglings were out of the nest hardly able to fly. I have watched over them, chased off predators and put extra food out for Squeak but yesterday in an awful wind, Squeak alerted to me to one fledgling unable to cope with the wild weather. He flew in near our front door where I was sitting watching the family .... then he flew on to our gate and looked down in the undergrowth. There I saw the little fledgling and scooped it up. There was no tut tut tutting from Squeak and he carried on feeding the other two fledglings.

Squeak Junior is now in a box in my spare bedroom being fed and hopefully, in a few days I can let it join its siblings and parents. I'm keeping careful watch over the other two fledglings and amazingly, Squeak alerts me when they are in trouble. Our Tui birds are very territorial and argumentative birds and and when a tui is eyeing up one of the fledglings, Squeak sends out an alert noise and, of course, I go running armed with water pistol. I hope they all make it to adulthood!

Amazingly enough, last summer another blackie Mum and Dad brought their 3 fledglings to eat on our balcony. I watched the 3 fledglings grow but one of them had a very sore leg and over a few days trying to fend for herself, she got weaker and weaker and in the end, sort of came to me for help. I caught her, put her in my aviary and fed her for about a fortnight. When she was stronger and using both legs again, I released her. She has always been rather tame for me since and I am sure it is this same bird, that Squeak took as his bride... she is not afraid of me .... she is not as good a parent as Squeak though... it is him who does most of the feeding and is so very protective of his young ones.

Young Eastern Rosella

2009-09-26T09:00:00.003+12:00

Yesterday at daybreak I heard a bird screeching as if in trouble. Eventually, I found the bird - a very juvenile Rosella that had probably fallen from its nest during the high wind we had that night. Bird was not ready to fly and unfortunately, a neighbour's dratted cat had got the bird but dropped it when the bird put up such a racket. However, the rosella did have a tooth wound in its back. These little birds sure can peck - they have a mean grip. However, after using Rescue Remedy on the bird and leaving in quiet for a couple of hours on a heatpad, the mite perked up and it fed from me off and on all day. By afternoon was quite perky and I managed to get Aloe Vera on the wound and was hopeful but kept telling myself that cat bites to a bird, are generally lethal. The bacteria in a cat's mouth is poisonous to birds and, unfortunately, this morning, the bird was dead. Sad... the only consolation is that the bird died warm, safe and not mauled to death by a ruddy cat. I love cats but oh dear, I hate their hunting instincts.

At present I have fledgling birds everywhere in my garden... all calling frantically to their parents for food. The 'spring' weather is not being very kind to these little birds and I worry for them. Am putting out masses of food for the parents to help them and my cats, much to their fury, are shut inside.

Remember Squeak?

2009-09-19T08:47:00.002+12:00

My male blackbird that I raised summer before last? Last summer he disappeared and then when it got cold over winter, Squeak returned and has been here everyday for food for the last 5 months. He must have found a mate cos he is feeding young at present... constantly harrassng me for food as soon as he sees me in the garden or in the kitchen. If there isn't food out he sets up a racket on the balcony calling for me. Lovely to see him with young... hope he brings them to me when they have fledged.

My hundreds of Silvereye have gone mostly now... they must be pairing off, nesting and feeding young. Still putting out the sugar/water mixture but only a few stragglers are feeding now. My Sparrows have disappeared in their vast quantities also but have lots of blackbirds and thrush about. Many many tuis all fighting over territory and food. Lovely time of the year and I hope the weather remains nice for all these birds with their young ones.

Sunset over Russell last night

2009-09-18T07:50:00.001+12:00

Eastern Rosella

2009-09-16T09:36:00.003+12:00

A Rosella was brought to me late yesterday afternoon in a bad way. Completely disorientated, falling over and unable to hold its head up or stand. I gave it Rescue Remedy which seemed to calm it, put it up against headbrick and later on after dark, got some orange/water mixture into it. Thought it would die overnight but at 6 am on checking, bird was out of box and sitting on the bed in spare bedroom!

This bird is now eating, walking, flying (and biting!) and I will release it out at Mjoebing Farm where it was found, after lunch. Brilliant looking bird - such beautiful colours!

This bird was released at lunchtime - flew off confidently and hopefully it has got over whatever happened to him.

Another New Zealand Native Wood Pigeon (kereru)

2009-09-14T17:39:00.004+12:00

This bird was brought to me on 3rd August and I sent it down to Robert at Whangarei Bird Recovery Center because I didn't feel confident about caring for it. Today the bird was brought back to me... fit and healthy and feisty and tomorrow I shall take it over on the ferry to Paihia to release it. (It was found on the ground in Paihia). Hope the release is as successful as yesterdays one!
(Released today 15/9/09 - flew off into a tree - hope it has a long life!).

Wood Pigeon

2009-09-12T20:01:00.003+12:00

This bird is ready for release.. hoping for a nice day weatherwise tomorrow and will take it back to its territory and let it go..... also have another Wood Pigeon coming back to me on Monday ready for release. This bird has been at Whangarei Bird Recovery for about 6 weeks and the injuries are healed and it is anxious to be free now. Hope both releases go well.. they are always a bit scary..... so hopefully, next week, I will be down to just one resident bird :) Pav the Pukeko who makes no attempt to go anywhere but stay within our boundaries. He's a great bird in many ways... very funny, very affectionate and his other name now is 'The Great Destroyer'.... don't get a puke living with you if you want a lovely garden! He has destroyed mine! Nothing is sacred. Thankfully my garden is fairly wild anyway.... and I wouldn't have missed out on 10 months of Pav for anything.... I'd miss him terribly, sort of :) :)

I released this bird today (Sunday 13th September). Bird was keen to go and soared off into trees. Flew very strongly. A much different bird than when it arrived. A good release!

Kereru - Wood Pigeon Update

2009-09-09T13:08:00.004+12:00

I released this bird on 13/9/09 back where it was originally found. Unfortunately, yesterday (18/9/09) a wood pigeon was found on the road huddled up and a kind person brought it to me. Same bird! Ravenously hungry, very cold and miserable. Know it is the same bird cos of the way it reacted to me and it definitely knew what peas and corn were and wolfed them down out of the hand. Bird now doing okay but not sure if this bird is able to cope on its own. May send it to Robert at Whangarei Bird Recovery so the bird can have freedom if its want or return to an aviary at night.

This bird has been with me 10 days now and is almost ready for release, I think. Much stronger, able to fly and eating well. Magnificent looking bird.

NZ Native Wood Pigeon

2009-08-30T20:49:00.003+12:00

I was phoned about a New Zealand Native Wood Pigeon yesterday that was on the ground and unable to fly and I collected the bird last night 5 'ish. Left the bird on a heatpad with water and this morning bird was still alive. On inspection, I couldn't find any breaks or injuries and got bird drinking water. This afternoon later, bird was looking gloomy and depressed and although I had had offered food, I couldn't get it to eat. In between this time, I had a Tui brought to me.... suspect tui had hit something in flight and then a cat had got it..... one wing was just hanging with terrible wounds around that area. I fed the bird with sugar/water mixture, used Rescue Remedy on it but decided the poor bird needed putting out of its misery... it had lost a lot of blood and was in pain. Got hubby to help me euthanise it. Sorry bird, hate doing this but sometimes kinder :( :(

After doing this nasty deed, I decided to get tough with wood pigeon..... eat! So I gently grabbed bird and opened its beak and put a soggy pea in its gullet. Wow.. this pigeon ate and ate - peas, corn, black currents and apple.... 30 mins later more food and bird was taking it on its own. 9 pm here now and another feed happened earlier. Bird tucked up on heat blanket, fed and watered. Fingers crossed for it!

One week after her release....

2009-08-29T11:04:00.004+12:00

and Peanut and her mate are doing well!

As at today 13/9/09 Peanut and her mate are still visiting for food most days and are doing well!

Peanut and her new love finally released today

2009-08-22T11:24:00.004+12:00

Peanut and her mate didn't turn up for a feed last night but this morning they were back in the aviary awaiting food! The aviary has now been modified so that they can get in and out whenever they want to but other birds can't get in.... this was a wonderful bit of news this morning.... Peanuts first night out in the wild :)

Lovely sunny morning for the release. We opened door of aviary and after a wee while, the male ventured out with Peanut soon following. Peanut rushed into mingle with the turkeys and chickens and male quail flew off into a tree nearby calling her all the time. Peanut seemed a bit confused and quite possibly petrified of being in the open without mesh around her but she was curious.... we watched for about half an hour and when she had finally joined her mate, we decided to back off and leave them to it. Will check at lunchtime to see if they are still about..... I hope they have a happy life and a safe one. I couldn't have done this if this male quail had not turned up.... at least he can teach her things and he is fiercely protective of her. Some not very good photos of the release....

Peanut and her new love

2009-08-15T20:19:00.002+12:00

Have gone to an idyllic spot - a 350 acre farm not far from me... birds everywhere, no cars and few predators. I took her and her new male quail friend out there this morning and they will spend a few days in a large aviary and then be let free... they come and go from the aviary and all the birds out there get fed regularly and hang about - pheasants, turkeys, herons, other quail families, etc. Was hard doing this but she needed more room and a chance of a more natural life. I hope she and her mate do well.... they were certainly bonded to one another and he can teach her the wild way of life..... so Pav the Puke is the only bird in residence at present...... it would be nice to have a wee break for a month or so until spring sets in..... fingers crossed :)

Update on Peanut, the Californian quail

2009-08-11T15:35:00.002+12:00

On 15/8/09 Peanut my lovely little quail will be 8 months old. She is a dear little friendly bird, very affectionate and sweet. However, about 10 days ago a family of quail came down our drive and Peanut was calling to them very excitedly. The family left that afternoon but one male quail has been hanging about ever since. Obviously smitten over Peanut and getting very careless about my two cats. Today I decided to try to catch him. It put Peanut in a small cage within the aviary, opened aviary door and wild quail let his emotions get on top of his wariness. I closed aviary door. Very carefully got Peanut out of her cage and they are now together. They look beautiful together.... as I was watching from afar, wild quail attempted to be amorous to Peanut and she was having none of that :) But as of this afternoon, they are sitting together and touching beaks.

I hope this will work. My dream would be for them to bond and form a pair, have some chicks and when the weather warms up more, I can take them somewhere safe and let them go. Already in just a few hours, Peanut will not fly to me nor come to my hand for food.

Pav preening in the sun

2009-07-30T10:26:00.003+12:00

Pav, the Pukeko photos - over 8 months old now

2009-07-24T11:03:00.001+12:00

Silvereyes and a very tame Tui at my feeders

2009-07-15T10:37:00.002+12:00

Time to update my blog...

2009-07-11T10:27:00.002+12:00

All is well here..... haven't been on computer much due to a bad cold and suffering some winter blues. Weather has been awful and cold and I don't think our fire has ever been so well used. Today it is blowing a gale, wet and Pav the puke is shut in an aviary and is rather disgruntled. Getting through the beans at $5 a packet - this bird is costing me a fortune! Need to get hold of some green bean bush plants and plant them everywhere!

Peanut the quail is doing fine... very sweet little bird who lives in an aviary outside when the weather is warmer but at this bad weather, is inside in a cage - she doesn't seem to mind.

Now some photos.... Pav enjoying a bath in a sunny day...

Pavorotti the Pukeko at 7 months

2009-06-14T10:47:00.002+12:00

Silvereyes enjoying an orange....

2009-06-01T10:30:00.003+12:00

Tickled pink today....

2009-05-24T10:29:00.002+12:00

Way back in November 2006 one of the first fledglings that came into my care, was Nellie, an orphaned blackbird with a very damaged eye. I raised her and the eye came right, and being new to bird rescue, I was terrified that my cats would get her and handed her over to a friend who lives in a more remote area and he offered to continue feeding her and looking out for her. Well, eventually Nellie turned a male but we have always called her Nellie, so he remains Nellie :) Nellie has disappeared from Gary's garden over the summer months but just a few days ago he told me that Nellie was back. Yeah!

And then, lo and behold, yesterday I noticed this blackbird following me about and I suddenly realised that it was Squeak, the male blackie who I raised in January 2008. I haven't seen Squeak over these summer months and have always wondered if he adapted to the wild..... well, Squeak looks really good and although I can't hand feed him now, he sits in the wisteria and rose bush and I when I put food there for him and if I move away a bit, he will take it. He also just sits in the wisteria looking in and calling and when I go out, he gets all excited :) :) Love knowing that he has survived. Happy Days!

Monarch butterfly on Lantana and bottle brush

2009-05-23T09:24:00.003+12:00

Just some pics....

2009-05-15T14:05:00.003+12:00

chilly in Russell, BOI, New Zealand now

2009-05-03T21:05:00.002+12:00

Autumnal weather most definitely and some cool southerly winds, and rain. The prospect of winter with a Pukeko in the house/garden was fairly scary but Pavorotti is working out well. He doesn't seem to feel the cold at all. His routine is...
I get him out of his chicken coop at 7 am.... he is shut into the enclosed area (box) of the coup and has a wee pillow with a towel over pillow. I open up the door and he wanders into coop and out and forages in garden.... then wants human company, and green beans (fresh, not frozen) and corn and treats. He stays out for most of day except for a few cuddle times.... then at 5 pm he most definitely wants in! I open door, and he strutts through to computer room and gets lifted up high on to a box.... he sits there talking and wanting head rubs, on and off until 6.30 pm.... by this time he is mostly in rest/sleep mode and I carry him out to coop.... I hate doing this... something in me wants me to keep all animals inside and safe.... but in the hour and a half that he sits in evening, he creates enough mess.... he is a bird... and I mustn't spoil him.

I was out today for a few hours.. hubby watched Pav but goodness, I got a right telling off when I came home..... he crouches low and 'blows/fans his wings out and screeches at me.... I do love this bird! Such a character!

My hubby and Dora plus Peanut the quail at 12 wks old

2009-04-26T10:26:00.004+12:00

Very wet day here in Russell, Bay of Islands, NZ

2009-04-25T09:16:00.005+12:00

Pouring down with more predicted to come. Pav is loving it! Outside in his bath with the rain pouring down on him and he is splashing about... well, I guess his other name is Swamp Hen.

Am quite exciting because we have been seeing a Weka in our garden and this morning I spied him and he didn't run off so frantically as I approached it. I guess the weka is attracted by Pav's food and I hope he takes up residence in our garden.. would be nice to have them about. Here is a photo of a Weka.....

Haven't posted for a wee while...

2009-04-20T20:13:00.002+12:00

but all is well here. Autumn now... cooler temperatures and lovely leaves falling everywhere with the autumnal colours....
Pav the Pukeko is doing very well. Much easier now.... not so noisy and demanding and spends most of the day outside, foraging and mooching about. Sleeping in a chicken coop at night so safe which pleases me. Still loves cuddles but a little more independent of me, which is good. Never strays off our property even when I go out.. however, I never leave him alone for long periods.

Peanut, the quail is fine but I need to find something better for him. I don't like seeing a bird in a cage.... am working on something better for him but it has to be right.

Looking forward to winter now and some quiet.... don't quite know how Pav will enjoy winter but today, with heavy heavy rain (!) and thunder storms, he seemed very content... played in his water bowl and was fairly unphased by it all.... I don't know if he will feel the cold? If he does, I'm sure a hottie won't go amiss in his coop :) :)

Kereru (New Zealand Native Bird Pigeon)

2009-04-07T14:42:00.003+12:00

Had a Kereru brought to me last night. Was found on the ground and not moving. I suspect the bird had smashed into a window or building as it badly damaged its beak and leg. I sent the bird off to Whangarei Bird Recovery this morning knowing that it needed more expert help than I could give it but sadly, it died shortly after arriving there. The Centre said it would likely have had internal damage to the chest and head from the state of its beak injury. Poor bird - it was very healthy looking and fat :( :(

Lovely time of the year at present - cooler and with some rain and my garden is alive, once again, with birds everywhere - sparrows galore, silvereyes, blackbirds, thrush, tui, finches, kingfisher, lots of fantails and starlings. All jostling me into putting out food for them all day.

The little quail Peanut, may have to be a permanent resident as I've been told by various people that it is too tame to let go and that wild quail will probably kill it. Darn.... I will have to see if I can find it a mate :)

Pav still with us and I fear he always will be! :)

Update on bird news

2009-04-03T10:08:00.002+13:00

The little thrush was released from my aviary the other day... still had a sore leg but was much better and hopefully, it will be fine. It was feeding well and the head injury was healed.

Pav continues to stay with us - he is more outside now and insists on roosting up high in a bottle brush tree at night. As it gets colder and more wintery I will have to shut him in his box for the night as where we live, it is quite exposed to the wind and I couldn't stand him being outside in gales.

Peanut, the quail continues to thrive. Enjoys the aviary during the day and then I bring her/him in at night. Cute little friendly bird and I don't think I can release her into the wild - she is too tame and apparently, other wild quail will not accept her into their family group. May try to find someone with a big aviary who would like a quail... I can't keep every bird otherwise I might be husbandless :) :)

News from birds

2009-03-22T21:48:00.002+13:00

A wee thrush was brought to me a few days ago that had been hit by a car... the lady found him upside down on the road and carried him home. I thought he was history but he is still alive a few days later and eating. Has a hurt leg (not broken) and the wound to his head has cleared up I think. Now in my aviary and flying.... fingers crossed!

Then today, somebody brought me an adult Pukeko that had been hit by a car. Broken wing and unfortunately, the leg was broken up above the knee joint in the hip area. I talked with my guru and tonight, decided to euthanize bird... I HATE doing this absolutely but bird didn't have much of a chance :( :( Sad.... makes me realise how Pav is fairly safe here... I couldn't bear to scrape him off the road..... think he might have to stay....

Pav at 16 weeks old

2009-03-17T09:04:00.003+13:00

I'm glad I don't have to buy him shoes!