Help! Poor bird stuck in the chimney

[Iamthewombat]

We have either a pigeon or a magpie stuck in the chimney. It is (we think) sitting on a ledge, too high up to reach.

Both types of bird like sitting on our roof and this one probably overbalanced and fell in!

It has made a few attempts to fly up and out but that ain’t happening. We have left the room and left all the windows open but the poor little sod hasn’t come down yet, after 4 hours.

Any suggestions to help free it?

I’m bumping this: matter of bird life and death!

I think you might need to contact the RSPCA...

And they may cut into the wall to get the bird out

Would they come out during lockdown? I was wondering whether there was something we could do ourselves.

Leave a bag of chips to attract pigeons on the hearth or something!

Probably not

Birds are easily spooked and get confused when they are somewhere they shouldn’t be.

A chimney is one that would really set them off.

You could try some bait but I don’t think it would

Can you see up into the chimney.

Not far up enough, even with a torch, sadly. We know that there’s a ledge just below ceiling height. We were hoping that the bird might look down, see light and investigate the downwards route.

If we waited until dark and had the lights on, might it fly down to the light, do you think?

I had this recently, I had to cut a hole in the chimney breast to grab the pigeon. It was quite calm and just flew off. It had been there for 2 days.

The RSPCA might come out or they can call the fire service. RSPCA can be pretty useless so have you got a local wildlife or bird centre you can call.

Crikey! Cutting a hole pretty drastic!

Nearest wildlife centre is a long way off, would they come out during lockdown? Don’t know much about them, I’m afraid!

Now wondering whether to call the fire service myself (not on 999, obviously!)

Is there any chance it might come down the chimney of its own accord?

Thanks for the responses by the way.

It might fall down but if its stuck on a ledge and has been flapping about it could be injured. I would call the wildlife centre or the RSPCA for advice and probably the non emergency fire service to see what they advise.

We get this from time to time and they come down into the room. It can make a mess before they manage to get out the window. To prevent it you can get the chimney fitted with wire caps, but some birds will take them off if they are determined to nest. Ours do. I put a plastic laundry basket over the fire opening to catch them before they can fly round the room.

Thanks! I have made a plan now. Laundry basket a genius idea. I wait until tomorrow and see if it comes down overnight, and if not I call the nearest wildlife place and after that the fire service.

Poor bird, I hope it is not hurt.

As predicted, the RSPCA were not much good. Many options to press buttons, none of which led to a human being, but I will give them a pass because of lockdown.

Feeling really sad now for the other half of the pigeon couple! Or the magpie couple. Although he’s always scrapping with other magpies while she cheers him on so if it’s Mr Magpie he will be as hard as nails.

A sweep might be good? Mine was very knowledgeable about birds. If bird escapes and is flying round room, put basket on head if you're scared it will fly at you....

We have a fricking gigolo jackdaw in ours. We've even fitted cowls but he rips them off and then spends the night entertaining his harem in our chimney breast. I loathe him. Preening, puffed up little shit.

We opened the windows and put a piece of bread on a mirror. It came down and flew out of the window. That was a starling. The wood pigeon I had to chase around and cover with a blanket to get it out. Used bread on a mirror to get it down. Good luck!

Our Jackdaws took off the wire cowl the sweep said they wouldn't get off unless they were handy with an angle grinder.... they dumped it on our doorstep...I'm sure they think we live in their house and they're trying to evict us

Some birds are too clever for their own good

www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wildlife-and-the-law/birds-in-the-roof/how-to-stop-birds-nesting-in-chimneys/

So many good ideas! Thanks. Who knew that mirrors and baskets were so useful for bird escapes?

I hope no jackdaws come to live here and taunt me with their romancing and contemptuous vandalism.

Can you reach for it, and sweep brushes/poles to help get it out? We used to get this. Someies they cameoout sometimes not. Try contacting a sweep.

Chimney sweep Stat!

happened twice at our house.

very kind chimney sweep came out both times and fixed it.

Then DH bought chimney sweep brushes on ebay. As an inusrance policy against it ever happening again.

RSPCA refused to come out in my experience

Thanks! Chimney sweep now plan B if torch/bread on a mirror/laundry basket plan fails. We know a nice sweep who lined the chimney on our old house.

Please report back! I'm shielding and bored....

I will! Setback to plan: DH just fell asleep on sofa and Iwanted him to do the torch/bird wrangling with the laundry basket on his head!