Māori believed the Sacred Kingfisher/Kāreke could foretell the future. If someone heard the Kāreke cry to their left, bad luck lay ahead; if they heard the cry on the right, it brought good luck.
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SIWH AGM
When: Tuesday 22nd October 7pm
Venue: Tuatara Structures, 10B Abros Place, Burnside, Christchurch
There's been some additions to the hospital's penguin colony with some Fiordland Crested Penguins. This one was undergoing its moult on arrival. Penguins go through a catastrophic moult, meaning they lose all their feathers at the same time, rendering them land-bound and unable to feed until they are waterproof again.
Tawaki are one of many bird species that rely on the ocean's food supply. You can introduce your tamariki to the world of sea birds at our educator's free family-friendly talk at Papanui Library at 2pm,#tawaki #fiordlandcrestedpenguinr#penguins#penguinsofinstagram##birdi#birdsofaotearoai#nzbirdss#wildliferehabilitationl#wildlifehospitalo#wildliferehabp#wildlifehealthe#wildlifel#siwha#southislandwildlifehospitallandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less
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That must take its toll, poor things.
Kōtare are a common species to be admitted to the hospital. These birds tend to keep their distance in the wild, so it can be difficult to appreciate their plumage if you come across one. Like kererū, on closer inspection, sacred kingfishers have feathers that appear to shimmer.
This particular one was unable to support its own body when it arrived and required propping up in the incubator. #Kōtare #kingfisher #sacredkingfisher #bird #birdsofaotearoa #nzbirds #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifehospital #wildliferehab #wildlifehealth #wildlife #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less
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Why are they commonly admitted when they're so elusive? How do they get into trouble?
I have one or two that visit my country garden everyday.
What beautiful colours.
So colourful
I've been watching one dive down in my yard going for skinks . It's incredible to watch them they're so fast and then it sits up on the clothes line and flicks it down it's throat
Beautiful image showing great colours.
Iv got a juvinile rehabbing.
Not that elusive if you have a goldfish pond in otago lol
Beautiful Kingfisher!
I found one on my street that sadly had died probably from vehicle strike. I took it home to sketch its gorgeous feathering before donating it to Te Papa for their research collection. They really are beautiful up close. I’m very glad this one is alive, and hope it is able to be released fit and healthy.❤️
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (Christchurch)
Looking at you! This International Bird Day, could you be our next superstar to help us with our precious manu?
Are you interested in volunteering with the SIWH? We are currently seeking 5 or 6 enthusiastic volunteers.
Are you interested in making a real difference for some of NZs most precious wildlife?
Are you reliable, hardworking, and able to commit to a regular weekly shift?
Are you also able to commit to a minimum of 6-months volunteering?
Our main volunteer duties are: cleaning enclosures & aviaries, washing towels & food bowls, along with preparing diets. There are also opportunities for bird handling and assisting with treatments as you learn the ropes.
Shifts times are: (9am - 12noon/1pm) and (4pm - 6pm/6:30pm).
If you are interested, please email your name, phone number, and details of any relevant experience to: volunteering@wildlifehospital.co.nz
If you are interested, please email your name, phone number, and details of your relevant experience to: volunteering@wildlifehospital.co.nz
#volunteering #charity #morepork #ruru #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation
#wildlifehospital #wildliferehab #wildlifeveterinarytrust #wildlifehealth #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less
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No location
Aw I wished lived closer 💕
Cassidy Pearl 🥰
Ouch! This tawaki nana hī presented at the hospital with a wound on its foot. Despite antibiotics and multiple surgeries on the wound, infection spread to the bone, a condition called osteomyelitis. This x-ray shows the bone and joint being destroyed by the infection. Further antibiotic therapy and additional surgery were unsuccessful at halting the disease, so the decision was made to amputate the toe. The foot was bandaged for protection and padding while it healed. Check out our story to see how the erect crested penguin is looking now. #penguin #tawakinanahī #erectcrestedpenguin #penguinsofinstagram #xray #osteomyelitis #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehab #wildlifehospital #wildlifehealth #wildlife #nzbirds #birdsofaotearoa #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less
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Should call it Long John silver, great work
Charities need a good dose of passion, determination and funding. The hospital has plenty of passion and determination, but not plenty of funding. Like many charities, the post-covid economy has seen a decline in donations, and there is increasing competition for available grants.
One of our vets, Fiona, is going to be hiking the South West Coast Path in England to fundraise for the hospital. Across 1014km (630 miles), it ascends the equivalent height of 4 times that of Mt Everest. She will be hiking and camping for 53 days. Please give her a follow at www.instagram.com/wildlywalking and you can read all about what she's getting up to, as well as how to donate, at wildlywalking.wordpress.com/ ... See MoreSee Less
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We have said goodbye to this cheeky fella who has been released from the hospital. Kea are very intelligent birds, with an IQ similar to a 4-year-old child. This, of course, means that they can give us the run around at treatment times, and they are quick to suss out our techniques used to catch them in the aviary when we need to medicate them. This one loved to hang from the ceiling and watch the goings on upside down.
Thanks to the work of @keaconservation many wild keas are individually identifiable through unique bands on their legs. If you spot a kea in the wild, please report it on their kea database. You can also learn the sex, age, and name of those keas that you have spotted by entering their band number and colour.
#kea #parrot #parrotsofinstagram #alpineparrot #psitaccine #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehab #wildlifehospital #wildlifehealth #wildlife #bird #birdsofaotearoa #nzbirds #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less
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Fabulous news!
Yep, very smart, clever and beautiful. Thanks very much for all your team does for them
Should be our national bird!
By 4 I had taught myself to read. I wonder if it would be possible to teach a kea? They do learn some pretty amazing things.
Check out the beak on this pāngurunguru! Giant petrels are the largest of the petrel species, and they have an impressive (and dangerous) beak. Even when they are exceptionally sick, as this individual was, they still present a challenge to our vets and volunteers. Usually reaching us underweight and in kidney failure, getting them onto IV fluids requires careful handling and good control of the head. Not only can this beak snap shut with great force, but the tip is curved to a sharp point. A bite from one of these birds could inflict great injury. If you find one of these birds on the beach (or even your back garden, which is where this one popped up!), please call DOC in the first instance (0800362468). Do not attempt to touch or handle these birds without advice.
#beak #petrel #giantpetrel #pāngurunguru #TubeNose #bird #birdsofaotearoa #nzbirds #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehab #wildlifehospital #wildlifehealth #wildlife #siwh #southislandwildlifehospital ... See MoreSee Less
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Gorgeous
It's huge! I can see broken bones with that beak! What is it's wingspan and can you photo it's feet? The penguin's feet photo was amazing!!!
UPDATE: Thanks so much to everyone who contacted us. We are grateful for all the offerings of machines and are now sorted!
URGENT APPEAL. Our washing machine has broken. If anyone is able to donate their used one (in working order), please call the hospital or email admin@wildlifehospital.co.nz ... See MoreSee Less
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Will PM you :)
Cant help you at this time. However, Gav is bringing our heavy duty one back fron North Island in next few weeks, we will donate it to you guys then. Its a 9kg capacity.
Fisher & Paykel Would you be able to help out? Would be awesome if you could! Great way to give back
We currently have our own penguin colony at the hospital. We have 7 kororā and 3 tawaki nana hī in care at present. While 4 of the penguins require individualised housing due to their health status, these 6 little blue penguins are able to hang out together. When patients are housed together, they can exhibit more natural behaviours which can reduce the stress of the hospital stay. They also have 'burrows' which they can use to get some alone #kororāo#littlebluepenguinl#littlepenguint#penguincolonyg#birdso#birdsofaotearoao#nzbirdsa#wildlife #wildliferehabilitationb#wildliferehabd#wildlifehealthl#wildlifehospitalf#siwhi#southislandwildlifehospitalfehospital ... See MoreSee Less
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