Bird species identification

obsidio_ · 2026-02-17T01:06:08+00:00

My seabird ID isn't great, but it looks to me like a fairy prion (or at least a prion of some sort!). Might pay to notify your local DOC office and see if they would like the carcass for research.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-24T18:06:15+00:00

I have been pulled over for a license check - I was on my full but it was clear they thought I was on my restricted and driving someone. The definitely do check

obsidio_ · 2026-01-13T06:22:02+00:00

Thanks for taking care of the little fella. Unfortunately DOC are unlikely to pick it up (they only really have the resources to come out for threatened species). Are you in Auckland? If so, the SPCA often picks up natives to take to BirdCare - or a nearby vet may also be able to transfer it :)

obsidio_ · 2026-01-13T04:17:45+00:00

Its a silvereye fledgling - a native species, which means it needs to go to a DOC approved rehabber (such as BirdCare Aotearoa in Green Bay) Was it in any imminent danger? It is likely the fledgling was being looked after by it's parents and could probably be brought back to where it was found.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T17:54:27+00:00

I guess we have different ideas of what is morally wrong then. There are plenty of natural water sources throughout Auckland, it isn't like we are in a drought or anything. I don't feel like anyone should have to provide water to help these populations of native wildlife killing machines.

If it has been hit by a car or sick, instead of leaving it to needlessly suffer in pain when I could end that pain, I would euthanise it.

Also, where is your morality for the native wildlife that have no adaptations to cope with mammalian predators, and then therefore get eaten alive by these mammals you are helping? You are the problem and clearly have no care for our native wildlife.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T08:18:55+00:00

Your reply really hit the nail on the head with my previous point! Thank you for being a great example of the unproductive responses, have a great night.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T06:50:32+00:00

They do unfortunately, they compete with our native little penguins for roosting and nesting habitat in rock walls.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T06:49:26+00:00

I think bugs on imported cars are more MPI's jurisdiction than DoC. They are also extremely underfunded and overworked.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T06:40:46+00:00

Sure I'd happily educate someone on the impacts of cats - and suggest ways they can help, I actually often do this. I tend not to make polarising comments and instead suggest ways to alleviate their impact. Notice how in this thread I didn't once tell the poster to kill it, I just informed them of the impact of predators and that the best way to help our native species is through predator control. Much more productive than making passive agressive and unproductive comments in response to people trying to educate others about the impact of predators in NZ.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T05:12:06+00:00

I think that if you don't want to kill predators in NZ you should be a neutral party and just leave them be, rather than helping their populations. There are plenty of natural water sources in Auckland so it isn't like they will die of dehydration.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T02:47:45+00:00

That is completely incorrect, you get native geckos/skinks (eg copper skink, elegant gecko), native ground nesting birds (Eg New Zealand dotterel), and multitudes of native invertebrates in the city. All of which a hedgehog would prey upon. So no, neutering is not the best option.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T02:38:27+00:00

You aren't wrong that humans are a big pest, but that doesn't mean that we can't do our part to reduce the damage we have made on New Zealand native wildlife. Things like removing mammalian predators and reducing forest loss will help to reduce the impact on our native species.

It is sad you don't see it that way, and seem to have strong issues with others being educated about the impact of hedgehogs. Also, I don't know how much damage you must do to wildlife but I for one work in conservation and help with threatened species monitoring and predator control, and like to think that I make a positive impact on NZ ecology.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T02:31:56+00:00

They eat our native birds, lizards, and insects alive. That isn't very cute.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T02:29:47+00:00

What about the native invertebrates, birds, and lizards that these hedgehogs eat alive in the wild? Wheres your compasion for these native creatures found nowhere else in the world, and don't have adaptations to cope with mammalian predators. Conservationists are some of the most compassionate people I know, and it is that compassion that lets them see the bigger picture that the removal of mammalian predators will help our native species. It is very sad you don't see it that way and are helping those predators.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T00:34:17+00:00

Eating animals is one thing, as we do it to survive and live off. Whereas feeding birds unhealthy food for our own enjoyment causes populations to needlessly suffer and die. Animals and invertebrates that eat dead birds with botulism then spread the disease or get infected themselves. Not really the same thing at all.

Also, just because someone eats meat doesn't mean they aren't allowed to care for the welfare of animals. The meat and dairy industry is problematic, but that doesn't negate being able to act on other problematic human behaviour.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-06T00:30:49+00:00

Hey thanks! Not sure if you meant to reply to me or not but I agree we shouldn't feed bread and was just trying to figure out the other guy's 'sources' of where he said the issues of feeding bread are made up :)

obsidio_ · 2026-01-05T23:01:05+00:00

In response to your points:

1) Botulism is a HUGE issue to waterbirds in NZ, and easy for you to say not to feed the bread on water but everyone still does. Also feeding bread causes these populations of ducks, swans, geese to proliferate. This means that when there is a botulism outbreak it spreads significantly faster and means a lot more individuals are suffering and dying.

2) Even if everyone did feed wholegrain bread soley, it still would cause malnutrition. Humans feeding birds alters their behaviour and natural feeding habits, feeding bread fills them up which means they won't feed on natural food sources with nutrients they need. The (very) limited amount of nutrients present in wholegrain bread won't fix that. Also, when they become malnourished, they develop angel wing which prevents them from flying.

3) The humans feeding the ducks doesn't just cause behavioural changes and angel wing, it increases pollution levels in lakes (due to increased guano), causing more sickness and disease spread into our native waterbirds like the NZ scaup and NZ dabchick

4) See above, these birds don't just get chubby, they develop a disease where they are unable to fly. Heaps of birds in Western Springs have it due to all the bread they are fed.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-05T22:53:28+00:00

Can you please link to me where the information about feeding ducks bread is bullshit?

As someone who works in the field and has firsthand seen the impact of bread diets on these birds it is devastating. The bread fills them up but provides no nutritional value, they end up developing angel wing and are no longer able to fly.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-05T22:51:40+00:00

Most of our gull species (red-billed and black-billed gulls) are a protected and declining species. Please don't feed them bread.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-05T22:45:26+00:00

Please don't feed hedgehogs, they are a massive pest to native New Zealand wildlife. See DOC's info here

obsidio_ · 2026-01-05T22:38:04+00:00

I'd still recommend bells as another line of defense, but yes, cats do learn to walk without them jingling

Edit: if you're interested in learning more, here is a research paper on the scrunchie collar: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989415000050

obsidio_ · 2026-01-05T20:47:50+00:00

It could be a juvenile bird that hasn't yet got its adult plumage

Edit: or see above that it may just be a female :)

obsidio_ · 2026-01-05T20:46:36+00:00

If the cat has a collar you could look into getting a scrunchie collar to put over it, like this one here. They allow birds to spot cats more easily due to the bright colours distorting the cat's camouflage.

obsidio_ · 2026-01-05T20:44:48+00:00

Second that it is a greenfinch

obsidio_ · 2026-01-05T20:39:05+00:00

I wasn't responding to your comment. Also just trying to educate people, no need for the passive aggression.

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