Patient Spotlight: Kotare Kingfisher Survives Poisoning and Cat Attack

Meet one of our most resilient patients this season - a kotare (sacred kingfisher) who came to us having survived not one but two serious threats: secondary poisoning and a cat attack.

Secondary Poisoning in Native Birds

Secondary poisoning happens when a bird eats prey that has itself been poisoned - often rats or mice killed with rodenticide. Kingfishers are particularly vulnerable because they eat small vertebrates. This little one came in lethargic and uncoordinated, classic signs of poisoning.

The Cat Attack

On top of the poisoning, this kotare had also been caught by a cat. Cat bites are extremely dangerous for birds - even a small puncture wound can introduce bacteria that cause fatal infections within 24-48 hours if not treated. Our vet partners at Avian Empire got straight onto it with antibiotics and supportive care.

The Recovery

This tough little bird pulled through. By the end of the first week they were eating 20 crickets a day and fresh kingfish sourced from the Coromandel. Watching a kotare hunt again is one of the most satisfying things in this work.

Under our DOC permit (No. 120038-FAU), we can temporarily hold and care for kotare Once recovered and flight-tested, this one was released back to their territory.

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To understand why cat attacks are so dangerous for birds, read our explainer on air sac injuries and cat attacks.

Related reading: what happens when a cat attacks a bird and our guide to Wellington's most searched bird rescue questions.