Be a responsible bird owner

Releasing your pet bird into the wild is dangerous for them and harmful to our environment. Exotic birds can escape easily, compete with native birds and spread disease. Keep them securely contained and rehome responsibly - never release them.

Care for your pet and our environment

Here are some actions you can take to protect your pet and our environment:

Check before you buy

Before bringing one home, research whether your chosen species is classified as a pest in Auckland. Some like sulphur-crested cockatoo pose a serious threat to our native bird populations and cannot legally be sold, bred, given away, or moved. – check on our Pest Search by selecting 'birds'.

Plan for the long term

Some birds, parrots in particular, can live for decades and need daily attention and social interaction. Before choosing a pet bird, research its needs carefully. Be honest with yourself about whether you can provide proper care throughout its entire life.

Keep them secure

Always ensure your pet bird is securely contained so it cannot escape – even during cleaning, playtime or when windows and doors are open. Check enclosures regularly for damage.

Never free-fly

Research from the University of Auckland estimates there are on average 491 pet birds on the loose in Auckland in any given month. Bird owners might think their pet won't escape or will always find its way home, but the statistics say otherwise. It's crucial to keep them securely inside the home or aviary.

Free-flying pet parrots, even under supervision, greatly increases the risk of escape and future impact on the environment.

Report an escaped pet bird

You can report yours or others' escaped pet birds on the New Zealand Companion Animal register, as well as social media.

If you find an escaped bird that is not yours and are able to safely contain the animal, contact the rescue centres listed above. If there are no rescue services available, or you're unable to get it there, contact us and in the meantime do your best to care for it – what's most important is that the bird does not escape or get released into the wild.

If you see an exotic bird in the wild, record it on iNaturalist or contact us.


Rehome responsibly

If you cannot look after your bird anymore, find them a new home properly. You may be able to:

  • Give them to another bird owner.
  • Take them back to the pet shop.
  • Contact a bird rescue group.
Who can help rehome your bird

If you need to rehome your pet bird or find one in the wild, depending on capacity, one of these organisations may be able to help:

Why releasing your pet is harmful

Releasing pet birds into the wild can have serious consequences:

  • Animal welfare concerns: many pet birds don't survive long in the wild. They're used to eating from bowls and don't know how to find food, often ending up on the ground where cats and other predators catch them.

  • Threat to native species: exotic birds spread diseases to vulnerable native parrots. If they survive, find a mate, and end up breeding, wild populations can aggressively compete for food and nesting sites, bullying native species away from the resources they need.

  • Disruption to ecosystems: some exotic bird species strip bark off native trees and can damage vegetation. They steal native birds' nesting sites and disrupt the natural balance of local ecosystems.

  • Property damage: they can nest in city buildings, damage crops and become pests of cereal and fruit and vegetable crops.

  • Risk of invasive populations: some bird species still commonly kept as pets can survive and breed in New Zealand's climate, potentially establishing permanent invasive populations. 

 

Contact us for more information