The State of Bird Vet Care in Aotearoa
Birds are being left behind in New Zealand. At Avian Empire, for the past 2 years we have been asking every client one simple question:
Do you have a vet who is comfortable seeing birds?
It’s a straightforward question. But the answers we receive, time and time again, are anything but.
Across thousands of responses from bird owners throughout Aotearoa, a clear pattern has emerged, one that is difficult to ignore.
Around half of all bird owners report having no vet at all for their birds.
A further portion tell us their local clinic simply won’t see birds, or will only do so reluctantly.
And even when birds are seen, the majority of owners describe low confidence in the care being provided.
Only a small minority report having access to a vet who is both comfortable and experienced with avian patients.
This is the reality of bird healthcare in New Zealand.
Unsettling Figures
What this looks like on the ground
For many bird owners, seeking help starts with a phone call, and often ends there.
They are told:
- “We don’t see birds.”
- “We only treat cats and dogs.”
Others are seen, but with hesitation:
- “We’re not very experienced with birds.”
- “We’ll do our best, but we’re not confident.”
- "we can euthanise only"
This isn’t about a lack of care. It reflects a system that is not set up to support birds, leaving both vets and owners in a difficult position.
A gap that goes beyond access
Birds are uniquely vulnerable patients. They hide illness well, deteriorate quickly, and require specific knowledge to diagnose and treat effectively.
When access to appropriate care is limited, or uncertain, the consequences are significant.
- Conditions are missed or misdiagnosed.
- Pain is often overlooked.
- Treatment is delayed.
- Basic avian care is not well understood.
- Education around aftercare is limited.
- Biosecurity is frequently not considered.
This is no longer just a matter of convenience.
It is a welfare issue.
Even when care exists, it’s out of reach
In some parts of the country, avian-experienced vets do exist, but access is often limited in practice.
They may be:
- Available only certain days
- Fully booked weeks in advance
- Not taking new patients
- located hours away
For a critically unwell bird, these barriers can be insurmountable.
A system under pressure
Where telemedicine fits
In the absence of consistent in-person care, telemedicine has become an essential support tool.
It allows us to triage cases, guide early intervention, and support bird owners who otherwise have no options.
But under current regulations, we work in a grey zone, our ability to act is limited. In many cases, we can identify the problem, but we are not technically able to prescribe or fully manage treatment remotely.
This leaves both vets and owners navigating a system that doesn’t quite work for birds.
A gap that goes beyond access
This is not about criticising individual veterinarians.
The reality is that avian medicine has long been underrepresented, and many clinics are not supported to build confidence in this area.
But the bigger issue is this:
Bird numbers are increasing, not decreasing.
And yet, training and exposure to avian medicine is not growing with it. In many cases, it’s becoming less of a focus and heavily siloed.
This creates a widening gap between demand and capability.
More birds needing care. Fewer vets confident to provide it, and the outcome remains:
Too many birds in Aotearoa do not have access to competent, timely veterinary care.
That needs to change...
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