How the Huia got its curved beak.
09.11.23
Volunteering FAQ
28.10.23
Baby Birds: What to do!
01.09.23
Take action as a whānau for conservation
28.07.23
New sculpture revealed
26.08.19
Chapple Architecture design winners for Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery
23.07.19
Kororā Media Release
22.03.19
Now Open!
13.03.19
Governor General Visit
04.02.19
Volunteers sought for Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery
01.01.19
Acrow Ltd gets behind Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery
26.09.18
Additional funding requested to complete construction of Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery
19.03.18
Rotary International President Tours Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery
15.03.18
LOCAL AND NATIONAL BUSINESSES PUT A ROOF OVER NATIVE BIRDS’ HEADS
20.11.17
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry Visits Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery Construction Site
13.09.17
Collaboration pushes Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery to reach new milestone
25.08.17
Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery celebrates beginning of construction
21.04.17
Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery released for tender
05.03.17
Central Energy Trust grant gives Wildbase Recovery greenlight
14.09.16
‘Nightshade’ checks out of Wildbase Hospital
03.08.16
Investing in Communities and Wildbase Recovery
18.07.16
Youngsters get involved in wildlife recovery
24.06.16
DOC Director-General visits Wildbase Recovery site
10.06.16
International filmmakers connect with Wildbase Recovery
19.05.16
Fully recovered NZ Falcon returns to Taranaki
19.05.16
Powerco announced as Education Centre naming sponsor
31.03.16
Helping whio and Wildbase Recovery
22.03.16
National backing for Wildbase Recovery
12.02.16
Community backing for national wildlife recovery centre
09.12.15
Rugby World Cup energy needed to fight for wildlife on home turf
15.11.15
Wild kākā checks out Wildbase Recovery site
30.09.15
Wildbase Recovery’s partnerships contribute to funding.
28.08.15
Keeping up with the kōkako
27.08.15
Wildbase Recovery Ambassador announced as DOC’s Threatened Species Ambassador
17.08.15
Wildbase Recovery Auction Dinner
28.07.15
Wildbase Recovery Conference
01.07.15
Funding injection for national wildlife rehabilitation project
18.06.15
Fund and friend raising for whio and Wildbase Recovery
11.06.15
Victorious recovery and release
05.06.15
Corporate sponsor recognises diagnosis in endangered species’ rehabilitation
13.05.15
New Trustee Appointment
29.04.15
Minister of Conservation meets with Wildbase Recovery team
25.02.15
Walking for Whio and for Wildbase Recovery
08.01.15
Lottery Grants Board awards $500,000 to world-class Wildbase Recovery centre
18.12.14
Local school and Lions add their support to Wildbase Recovery’s fundraising efforts.
16.12.14
Conservation Week winner
02.12.14
Recovered little blue penguin released at Himatangi
29.09.14
Pāteke breeding success an important part of Wildbase Recovery plans.
26.09.14
Governor General announced as Wildbase Recovery’s patron
20.09.14
Powerful lessons in wildlife rehab tales
27.08.14
Two significant donations boost Wildbase Recovery
27.08.14
Kiwi battlers join Wildbase Recovery fundraising campaign
26.08.14
Wild survival stories to be shared with public
13.08.14
Fundraising campaign goes wild
30.01.13
Aviary proposal to keep both exotic and natives
19.04.12

Baby Birds: What to do!

Baby Birds: What to do!

Breeding season is closely approaching but when do baby birds require our help and when is it best to leave them.

There are three developmental stages to a baby birds’ life and only some of these will need our help. Most baby birds hatch with little to no feathers and require their parents to keep them warm and fed. These are known as hatchlings and will need to be taken to a vet ASAP if they have fallen from the nest. See pictures below.

Once the baby birds have started to grow in their coloured feathers and have opened their eyes completely, they can be considered nestlings (ducklings are considered to be nestlings as soon as they hatch due to the level of development). Nestlings still require their parents for food and warmth, but their parents can leave the nest for a periods of time throughout the day. However, they will still need to be seen by a vet if they are injured or fallen from the nest (and cannot safety be returned).

The final stage in a baby birds’ life is when they fledge or leave the nest and are starting to become independent from their parents.  Known as fledglings, they will need to build up their flight strength and learn how to feed themselves, but the parents are still close keeping an eye on them. Often fledglings are “kidnapped” or “birdnapped” as they are often seen fluttering on the ground as they start testing out their wings. Unless they are injured or there is immediate danger (i.e. a predator around), these young birds are safe to leave alone and can be observed for any changes.

If you do find a baby bird that has fallen from its nest or has been injured, please contact the Department of Conservation Hotline at 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or Wildbase Hospital via Massey Vets (0800 738 363) as soon as possible.

If you are able to return uninjured baby birds back to the nest safely, we encourage you to do so as this is the best chance for the baby bird to survive.

  • Hatchling
  • Nestling
  • Fledgling