a chimney swift chick has fallen out of its nest in our blocked off fireplace. what should i do?

Question

should i leave it alone? the flue in our chimney isn't readily accessible.

Answer 1

If it seems injured take it to a bird rehabilitation center as it will need special care. If it is very young and seems in good shape try replacing it in the nest if possible. If the nest has fallen you can try replacing it and the chick where it was. Sometimes you get some fledglings which have quite a few feathers they should be able to cling to the side of the chimney, in that case place them above the damper in the chimney, if they can cling on they'll make their way where they need to go, but if they aren't able to hold on they may be injured or ill in which case a bird rehabilitation center is the way to go. If there is absolutely no way to try and replace it it should be brought to a rehabber. If you aren't sure where the nearest rehab center is try calling your vet/ local humane society etc, or check this site :
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

Remember don't ty and keep the bird it is federally protected and without the proper care it will die. Do not attempt to give it water, you risk sending some into the trachea and killing the bird.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do. Even if you could reach the chick, which is doubtful, the mother would probably reject it after you had handled the chick.

The best thing to do is prevent this from happening again. Always cap you chimney in the summer, or any time when it's not in use. We always put a square of plywood across ours and secured it with a large, very heavy rock, so it wouldn't blow off in winter storms. Cheap and efficient.

If you don't want to block your chimney completely, you can also put a piece of chicken wire over the opening. This way the chimney is still open to the air, but the birds can't get down into it.

Answer 3

If you can put it back in the nest, do so. If it seems cold, warm it in your hands first. Birds cannot smell your scent on the chick, but they are sensitive to temperature.
If you can't get it back into the nest, make a little nest for it in a safe place where the parents can hear it and get to it. They will take care of it.
If you can't do this either, call a wildlife rehabilitation group. Any local vet should know the number if you can't find it.

Answer 4

try a wildlife rehab in your area. Vets and the humane society in your area may have some phone numbers on file for you to call. Try to close off your chimney before next spring so this will not happen again.

Answer 5

Call a wildlife rehab. NOW. Keep the chick warm.
Otherwise, If you can't get it back in the nest, it's sunk.
.

Answer 6

call the fire dep. you can't just let a life go to waste!!