Having a bird trapped inside your house can be a distressing situation. Birds tend to panic when enclosed in an unfamiliar space, and can potentially injure themselves while attempting to escape. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to safely remove a bird from your home without harming it.
Identify where the bird is located
The first step is to figure out where in the house the bird is. Search room by room, listening and looking for signs of movement. Check enclosed spaces like fireplaces, closets, curtains and cupboards. Also inspect upstairs rooms and the basement or attic if you have them. Narrow down the bird’s location to one room if possible.
Use your ears
Listen closely for chirps and flapping sounds the bird may make. Birds tend to be more vocal when stressed or scared, so use auditory cues to pinpoint the area the bird is in.
Look for visual signs
Check for clues like bird droppings or feathers shedding that can indicate the bird’s presence. Also look for objects that have been knocked over or disturbed by the bird as it flies around.
Be patient and thorough
It may take some time to locate the bird. Be patient, move slowly and carefully check each room. Avoid making loud noises or movements that could startle the bird and cause further distress.
Contain the bird in one room
Once you’ve identified the room the bird is in, close off all doors, windows and vents leading out of that room. This prevents the bird from spreading throughout the rest of the house as you attempt to remove it.
Close all exits
Make sure all external doors and windows in the room are shut tight. Draw curtains or blinds over windows to discourage the bird from flying toward the glass. Ensure fireplace flues are closed.
Block vents and gaps
Use a towel or blanket to block any air vents or gaps under doors that the bird could escape through. This is an important step for containing the bird in one space.
Turn off ceiling fans
Make sure ceiling fans and other moving fixtures in the room are switched off so they do not injure the bird.
Remove or cover mirrors
Birds will often fly directly at reflective surfaces trying to escape. Cover or take down any mirrors, glass pictures, or other shiny objects that the bird could hit in its panicked state.
Drape towels over mirrors
An easy temporary solution is to hang towels or blankets over any mirrors or reflective surfaces in the room.
Take down items if possible
Remove hanging mirrors, glass photo frames, or other moveable reflective items and place them face down on a protected surface.
Cover large mirrors
For large mirrors like on armoires, use sheets secured with painter’s tape to completely conceal the reflective surface from the bird.
Darken the room
Birds are less likely to fly erratically in darkened spaces. Switch off all lights and draw curtains or blinds to make the room as dark as possible.
Turn off overhead lights
Make sure overhead lights are off so the bird isn’t disoriented by their glare as it flies.
Block outdoor light
Prevent outdoor light from streaming in by closing blinds, curtains and shutters. Block any small gaps or spaces where light could enter.
Use lamp shades
If you need low lighting to see inside the room, use a covered table lamp or floor lamp to provide a soft indirect glow.
Remain calm and quiet
It’s important not to startle or stress the bird any further. Avoid making sudden loud noises or movements when trying to guide the bird out.
Use slow deliberate movements
Move slowly and gently without flailing or waving arms around in a way that could scare the bird.
Speak in a soothing tone
Use a quiet, soothing voice to help relax the bird if you need to guide it in a certain direction.
Have patience
Getting the bird out may take some time. Remain calm and avoid reactive behavior that could frighten the bird and prolong the process.
Clear a path to an exit
Before actively herding the bird out, ensure there is a clear unobstructed path leading to the ideal exit point.
Choose the best exit
Sliding doors, screened windows or screened corners of rooms generally work better than doors to the outside. The bird is less likely to turn back into the house.
Open exit point
Open the door, window or other exit about 6 inches to allow enough space for the bird to leave.
Clear away obstructions
Make sure the path is clear by moving furniture, closing interior doors and removing any obstructions the bird could hide behind.
Herd the bird gently towards the exit
With the path clear, slowly herd the bird towards the open exit using these calm, passive techniques.
Create barriers
Use brooms, mops or towels to gently steer the bird away from hiding spots and towards the exit point.
Dim lights near exit
Keep lighting very low by the exit, but slightly brighter on the opposite side to nudge the bird in the right direction.
Make “shooing” motions
Standing at the end of the path opposite the exit, slowly wave arms forward and outward to encourage the bird to move in that direction.
Avoid actively chasing the bird
More aggressive tactics like chasing after the bird or using implements like towels to physically capture it can cause further distress and potential injury to both the bird and yourself.
Don’t make sudden loud noises
Yelling, stomping feet or banging objects together to startle the bird often backfires by causing panicked flapping.
Don’t swat or flail at the bird
Aggressive motions close to the bird frequently result in injury if contact is made.
Avoid chasing after the bird
Chasing the bird around the room adds to its stress level and rarely ends well for either party!
Allow the bird to exit at its own pace
Once at the exit point, step back and allow the bird to leave the house on its own without additional stimulation or pressure.
Resist the urge to “shoo” more
Let the bird make its way out slowly without arm waving or loud noises that could spook it back into the house.
Watch quietly from a distance
Monitor the bird’s progress calmly from across the room so your presence doesn’t prevent it from leaving.
Have patience
The bird may hesitate at the exit point, but will likely fly out on its own within a few minutes if left alone.
Close windows and doors once bird is out
After the bird exits, immediately close windows and doors to prevent the bird or other birds from flying back into the house.
Quickly shut exit point
Gently but swiftly slide the window closed or shut the door once the bird is outside.
Check for other open exits
Do a quick walk through the house and make sure any other doors, windows or gaps leading outside are closed.
Reopen outdoor pathways later
Wait at least 15-30 minutes before reopening windows and doors to the outside to allow the bird ample time to move away from the immediate area.
Clean up any mess left behind
Once the bird is removed, clean up any droppings or other mess left behind during the ordeal. Also replace any items that were damaged.
Use disinfectant and gloves
To clean droppings, use disinfectant, paper towels and water. Wear rubber gloves and avoid touching the mess with bare hands.
Wash soiled fabrics
For bird droppings on upholstery or curtains, use an enzymatic cleaner prior to washing in hot soapy water.
Replace damaged items
Remove broken objects like smashed picture frames or cracked mirrors and purchase replacements as needed.
Repair compromised window screens
To prevent repeat incidents, fix any holes or gaps in window screens that could allow another bird to get into the house.
Check all window screens
Inspect screens on all windows and repair any tears, holes or gaps that need patching.
Replace badly damaged screens
For screens that are too damaged or frayed to patch, have them professionally replaced altogether for full protection.
Consider adding fine mesh
Add an additional layer of super fine fiberglass mesh to the outside of screens to make them more bird-proof.
Summary of steps
Here is a quick summary of the key steps covered:
- Locate where in the house the bird is.
- Isolate the bird in one room by closing doors and blocking vents/gaps.
- Cover or remove mirrors and reflective surfaces.
- Darken the room by closing curtains and turning off lights.
- Clear a path from the bird to the exit point.
- Gently herd the bird towards the exit using passive means.
- Allow the bird to exit on its own without scaring it.
- Quickly close the exit once the bird is outside.
- Clean up any droppings or mess left behind.
- Repair any openings that allowed the bird to enter.
Preventative measures to keep birds out
Here are some tips to prevent birds from getting inside in the future:
- Install plastic nets or wire screens over open chimneys and vents.
- Use rigid plastic sheeting over window wells or crawl spaces.
- Seal gaps around air conditioning units and dryer vents.
- Attach flexible rubber strips to the tops of garage doors.
- Place fake plastic owls or rubber snakes near entrances to deter birds.
When to call a professional
In some situations, it’s best to call an expert for assistance:
- A large trapped bird that is aggressively defensive or territorial.
- A helpless baby bird fallen from a nest that needs immediate rescue.
- An injured bird that requires rehabilitation before release.
- A non-native invasive bird species that professional removal is recommended.
- A contaminated building with significantly large amounts of droppings.
Trained pest control specialists or wildlife removers know how to safely capture difficult birds and handle contaminated sites using proper protective gear and disinfecting techniques.
Conclusion
Getting an unwanted bird out of your house can be challenging but taking a slow, gentle, passive approach is usually the best strategy. Correctly identifying the bird’s location, clearing an exit path and allowing it to leave voluntarily with minimal stress will typically do the trick. Be sure to seal up any openings that allowed access after the bird is removed to prevent the problem from recurring.