Numbers of morepork and tui chicks at a rescue centre in Northland have more than tripled because of soaring temperatures and humidity levels.
The Native Bird Recovery Centre in Whangarei says the centre has cared for eight moreporks this summer, the youngest being five days old.
Co-founder Robert Webb says their mothers flap their wings to keep them cool but if they are still too hot, she will throw one or two out.
He says the centre has also looked after nine or 10 young tui this year, which were most likely trying to keep themselves cool when they lost their footing and were too young to get back into their nest.
