Native Bird Hospital

Care and rehabilitation for sick, injured, and orphaned native birds.

Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu. Adorn the bird with feathers and it will soar.

Welcome to BirdCare Aotearoa

NZ's largest Wild Bird Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre

BirdCare Aotearoa native bird hospital, primarily serves Tāmaki Makaurau greater Auckland, while also responding to rescues from Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Our Dept of Conservation-permitted charity provides expert clinical care and rehabilitation to sick, injured or orphaned manu (birds). We also provide phone support, advice and training to the public, conservation organisations, vets and tertiary interns.

Patients are brought to our hospital by compassionate “bird heroes.” While attending to admissions rescued by nature-conscious kiwis, we also respond to rescues from DOC, Auckland Council, Watercare and other environmental organisations. We are DOC-permitted, and entrusted, to rehabilitate endangered and at-risk species.

Our dedicated team of wildlife rehabilitators, academic researchers and consulting vets ensure the best recovery outcomes for each bird-patient, with an emphasis on returning to thrive in the wild.

Our wider impact spans animal abuse investigations, environmental research, infectious-disease monitoring for the Ministry of Primary Industries, education, and advocacy.

We rely on the support of a large team of dedicated volunteers to help run the centre, and in return are honoured to raise community capability in bird care. We also engage the wider community through education, advocacy and events. Check out our volunteering page, if you want a rewarding, hands-on roll in animal welfare and conservation.

Help our charity to sustain these vital efforts. Your support and aroha enables us to continue providing critical life-support for rescued manu (endemic and native birds), for the conservation of taonga in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Partner with BirdCare Aotearoa

We have many promotional opportunities for organisations who partner with BirdCare Aotearoa. To request our partnership prospectus, please email us

Become a Friend of BirdCare Aotearoa

Become a Friend of BirdCare Aotearoa by giving a recurring donation to help sustain our life-saving care of wild birds!

Upcoming events

We have an action packed few months of events and activities here – we hope you’ll join us!

Our online merchandise shop has a wide variety of designs on T-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, tea towels and drinkware.

The merchandise is supplied, printed and shipped by Digitees, a NZ owned and operated store which provides socially responsible, quality products, shipped in environmentally friendly packaging.

We have also partnered with wonderful NZ artists and jewellers, whose gorgeous products are available to purchase on our online shop.

Many of you have contributed to BirdCare’s nursery programme in previous years. Arohanui! This nursery mahi (work) is incredibly challenging, and involves the art of hand-rearing and feeding orphaned baby birds, often during long 12-hour days. We have such a dedicated nursery team, and they need our support!

Are you keen to take up a challenge to support the baby birds? Invite your school or work mates to join you, and Move for Good!

Sign up for a walk, run, swim, cycle, or fun outdoor challenge – and ask your friends and family to sponsor you. Be a Toa Tiaki Manu (champion of the birds) for BirdCare!

Click here to Move for Good!

Join Kōtare Kids Club!

We are excited to welcome young wildlife lovers to join our fun and informative kids club.
This activity-packed programme will keep young families entertained with fun facts, colouring sheets, crosswords, crafts and more. The club will also give front-row seats to our kid-friendly event programme, for a great way to learn about wild birds and conservation.
Join to receive a welcome pack email today!

Volunteering Opportunities

BirdCare Aotearoa relies on volunteers for helping with caring for the birds, cleaning, admin, raising bugs, and building and maintenance.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in joining our team as a volunteer, and are based in Auckland, over 18 years of age, and available for a minimum of one 5-hour shift per week, please click here to find the list of currently available volunteer roles or email volunteer@birdcareaotearoa.org.nz for more information.

Volunteering roles are hugely rewarding, and are essential to the operation of BirdCare Aotearoa. Full training is provided in relation to bird handling and care. We are extremely grateful for the support of all of our wonderful volunteers, we couldn’t do this without you!

How you can help

Volunteer: From running errands to gardening, maintenance and caring for birds, there are many ways you can help.

Fundraise: Get creative and have some fun while raising money to support our life-saving work.

Involve your business: Get your team together for a volunteer day or hold a fundraiser.

Join our team: Make a difference by working alongside our small, friendly team of professionals.

Donate: Your donation will help us provide life-saving veterinary care for thousands of wild birds.

Ways to support us

As a charity, we rely entirely on the support of our wonderful donors and partners.

If you would like to support us financially, there are many ways you can contribute. You can make a one-off donation, become a monthly donor, treat your family or friends to a gift certificate, or donate items or services from our wish list.

You can also organise a fundraising event, set up a gift registry in BirdCare Aotearoa’s name, donate through payroll giving, or leave BirdCare Aotearoa a gift in your will.

Development
Design
Marketing