Little upset today.

**Dutchie** · 06-19-2008, 06:29 AM

We have a problem in our house.
There is a bird stuck in our chimney.
It is stuck on a ledge about 4 ft above the fireplace.
There is no way that we can get to it without major breakage of the wall/chimney breast.
Every so often I can hear the bird trying to spread it's wings to fly out but it won't manage it - the space is too small.
I talked with other folks about it yesterday evening (it happened yesterday afternoon) and they said that they had had this before too and I could only just leave the bird - it would eventually die.
I said to my DH that we could maybe try and reach up to get it but that isn't feasible either - it's too far up.
I just feel so sorry for this little bird and it's plight and there's not a thing I can do about it.

**champagnium** · 06-19-2008, 06:35 AM

Awwww....that's sad!
Anyway a net would fit up there?? Maybe if you call animal control they'll come take care of it??Seems so sad to just have it die

I hope it gets fixed for you soon!!

**Dutchie** · 06-19-2008, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by champagnium

Awwww....that's sad!
Anyway a net would fit up there?? Maybe if you call animal control they'll come take care of it??Seems so sad to just have it die

I hope it gets fixed for you soon!!

Animal control won't be able to reach it either - it is a Victorian type fireplace in a modern house and the opening going up to the roof
is very small. Also just after the entrance/opening of the fireplace the smoke channel makes a sharp left turn making it impossible to reach straight up.
If the bird manages to wiggle free and falls down into the fireplace, we have hung a huge towel in the opening, so that it will not be hurt further and we can hopefully release it.
Thank you for your concern.

**C@rol** · 06-19-2008, 06:47 AM

That is sad. Poor birdie.

**MTS04** · 06-19-2008, 06:49 AM

Call animal control and the local humane society they may have alternatives for retrieving birds from chimneys. Lastly, call a chimney sweep, they may be able to help, as chimneys are their thing.

**MTS04** · 06-19-2008, 06:50 AM

Just a thougt too, how about calling the fire department on a BUSINESS line and asking if they can help with a bird in a chimnye...but I would call the ACO and Humane society first.

**Dutchie** · 06-19-2008, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by mythreesons2004

Just a thougt too, how about calling the fire department on a BUSINESS line and asking if they can help with a bird in a chimnye...but I would call the ACO and Humane society first.

How is this for a development - just as I was reading your post, I heard a different sound from the fireplace and there popped out of the side of the firescreen a little black head.
YES - He is free but now he is sitting in the corner of my sitting room. He looks as if he feels very sorry for himself.
I called the animal protection services and they have said just to leave him be for now - he will probably be exhausted and needs to get his strength back, I have to see if he is hurt at all and after a while carefully try to catch him and put him outside if he is not hurt.
I am so relieved for the little thing that he is free. It was such a horrible sound hearing him fight for his life.
Now to make sure that he gets back into his life safe and sound.

**Frugal Nurse** · 06-19-2008, 07:21 AM

Oh dear! I was going to suggest to bput some birdseed down on the fireplace to entice him down and you can free him from your home.

Water and seed.
Can you put some out for him?

Poor thing must be hungry.

**Lady_V** · 06-19-2008, 07:36 AM

While he is still flustered, can you put him outside or on a porch with some food water... this way when he is better you don't have to chase a fully recovered bird around the house?

**Dutchie** · 06-19-2008, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Frugal Nurse

Oh dear! I was going to suggest to bput some birdseed down on the fireplace to entice him down and you can free him from your home.

Water and seed.
Can you put some out for him?

Poor thing must be hungry.

Fiori my daughter just came home and immediately went to the neighbor's house and brought a small fishing net back with her.
(I was a bit afraid to approach the bird to give it anything to eat or drink since I didn't want to frighten it any further - he had already flown around the room and flown into a couple of the windows - couldn't be opened.)
He was now vast asleep in a corner of the room.
I thought that if we took him outside and he was hurt then I could give him something to eat and drink and then call animal services.
We carefully put the net over him and then a large soft towel on top of that.
We carried him outside and carefully put him on the ground.
He then flew away.
I am so relieved and thankful that he is OK.
Thanks for everyone's concern.

**latierra84** · 06-19-2008, 07:43 AM

so glad that he came out!!! poor little thing.

**favesis37** · 06-19-2008, 08:37 AM

iam so glad he got out with no aftereffects!

**luv-my-lexi** · 06-19-2008, 09:14 AM

I'm so glad birdie made it

. I would have had a hard time just leaving him in the chimney too......I'm a HUGE animal/bird lover and frankly just have a soft spot for all critters.

**Buckeye5** · 06-19-2008, 09:26 AM

I am so happy for your family and the bird!!! Seeing wildlife suffer and try to get free is heartwrenching, just like when the whales get caught in nets or get into shallow waters and are stuck. The human spirit lives on!!!!Smile the rest of the day, you have something to smile about, a free and flying bird!! Yeah!!