An operation is underway to rescue 100 exotic birds from behind Edgecumbe's cordon.

The Bay of Plenty town was severely hit by ex-cyclone Debbie, leaving 1600 stranded from their homes.

READ MORE: Edgecumbe residents finally gain access to flood-stricken houses

Parrots and budgies are among some of the birds the Whakatane SPCA is working to retrieve from a flooded aviary.

Its animal welfare inspector Liisa Jones says they've reunited around 170 pets with their owners.

She says a team of eight people, including a local vet, are trying to save the birds - and get them to a clinic as soon as possible.

"The water is still flooded up through the aviary, which has caused the animals to be cold and in distress and have respiratory problems so we need to evacuate them now," said Ms Jones.

The birds are not the only animals being rescued following the flood. Ms Jones said staff have been working from about 6am to midnight each day visiting homes in the region searching for pets and animals. 

A fox terrier found floating through a house on a boogie board is one of the latest animals rescued from Edgecumbe properties since the flooding.