A wild bird in the house.?

Question

A wild bird has come down my sister's chimney. It is a big, black bird. Right now he is sitting on her bookshelf and hasn't moved since he came. That was about 2and a half hours ago. She opened the doors and windows but the bird won't budge. It must have a nest up the chimney. She has put out bread and water for it.
What should she do? The poor thing is obviously terrified at being in an alien environment. Any help would be appreciated.

The problem is this. Where we are, it is now 12.20 at night. The animal shelters have all closed. I was given an emergency number but no one is answering when I call. Would it be safe to leave the bird in the sitting room overnight?

Answer 1

I once rescued a fledgling that fell into some water, and I kept it on a branch in my living room overnight. As far as I know, it didn't budge all night, but at the first crack of daylight it started peeping its head off (heard its parents outside) So I put my finger against its chest, it hopped onto my finger, and I let it go outside. Now for a larger bird, you want to make sure it can't reach your face if you try getting close to it, it might decide to peck if frightened.
Since its already dark, just try to leave it alone, seal off the room if possible (hang fabric in the doorways so it will think its solid and not try to fly through if there's no door) cover up the windows and try to keep things quiet. Birds wake up at daylight, so you'll want to go out to it as early as possible, but make sure there's enough light so it can see you and not think that there's some predator sneaking up on it while its asleep.
Once its morning, your choices are to leave it alone and try calling an animal rescue, or try to remove it yourself. Either open up a window/door for a clear exit (just leave the room, it might be scared to move while you're in there) or be a bit more proactive, wear long sleeves and gloves if you have them, and try to approach it. If it tries to evade you, just herd it to an opening. If it sits still, try encouraging it to go on your hand by gently pushing against its lower body so it unbalances enough to go on its new "perch". If it goes on your hand, then slowly move to an opening, and get it to perch on something outside if it doesn't fly off on its own.

Answer 2

Since it's night time the bird is probably now roosting, and will wake up at daylight. I would suggest being there at daybreak, closing the room doors, but leaving the windows wide open. Then two or more of you very gently 'herd' it (as a sheepdog would ) towards an open window. With a bit of luck it will fly out. Don't put it in a panic though, or it may fly into things and hurt itself.

Answer 3

Assuming that the bird is not injured, get a lightweight blanket and use it to "net" the bird, then take it outside and release it. If it's injured, you can still use the blanket to capture it. Before you grab it, prepare a cardboard box for it (DON'T put it in a bird cage) with newspapers in the bottom, some small holes in the sides for a bit of ventilation, and a dish of water. Don't worry about feeding it in the middle of the night. When you've nabbed the bird (sounds like a crow or raven, btw), put it in the box, and cover it with with some sort of dark cloth. Take the box and put it in a warm, dark, quiet room, away from people and pets, to allow it to calm down. As soon as possible, contact a zoo or vet to locate an animal rehab agency or individual, and take the bird to them; it's not legal for you to keep most wild birds in your home longer than whatever is required to get them to licensed caretakers. Good luck!

Answer 4

You haven't said which country you are in, but when it is dark out close all of the doors windows and curtains. then one of you get as close as you can to it before it gets upset, take a towel. then the other of you needs to turn the lights off. when the lights are off you need to catch the bird (maybe use a flash light to stun it too) and put it in abox. In the morning put the open box outside, somewhere safe from other animals, and leave the lid open. The bird should then find its way home.

PS it sounds like a crow or a rook

Answer 5

It would be safe to leave it overnight if the room is dark.

Tomorrow morning just as it gets to dawn come down and catch it using a towel and take it out and let it go.

Make sure to wash the towel after.

Answer 6

Sounds like a Jackdaw, a bird that likes chimneys. They are intelligent; simply open windows or doors, given daylight they will find their way home,

Answer 7

try to cach the bird with a towel or sheet then put it in a box or cage over night with food and bedding dont worry if the bird doent eat or drink it just means its afrad to leave an opening and there is a posability that it wont last the night and may die of shock
ps
try not to hert it

Answer 8

yes it should be safe until you find some help but put all the curtains over the windows in case it flys into them and leave out some water somewhere where it wont get hurt if you need more help email [e-mail] and i will guide you through wat to do P.S. I'm from UK too

Answer 9

Phone the r.s.p.c.a,explain the situation and they will give you advice on what to do with him,until they send an officer out to pick the bird up.

Answer 10

Scare it away back to it's home, or call the fire deparpment, the RSPCA does that sort of stuff too!