There has been some speculation and reports over the years of birds living inside walls of homes and other structures. While unusual, it is possible under certain circumstances for birds to find their way into wall cavities and remain there if they have access to food, water and nesting areas. Understanding how and why this happens can help homeowners address issues if they arise.
How do birds get inside walls?
There are a few main ways birds can end up inside walls:
- Gaps or holes in exterior walls, roofs or around vents provide access points for birds to enter.
- Birds may fall or fly down chimneys into wall voids.
- Young birds learning to fly may accidentally end up inside walls through openings.
- Some bird species intentionally seek out cavities in structures for nesting and shelter.
Small gaps around windows, doors, flashing, roof lines and penetrations through the exterior envelope provide plenty of opportunities for determined birds to work their way into interior wall spaces. Birds may also pick apart materials like roof flashing or vents to enlarge openings.cavity nesting bird species like woodpeckers may even drill holes themselves to access desired nesting sites inside walls.
What conditions do birds need to survive inside walls?
For birds to both enter wall spaces and continue living within them, a few key conditions need to exist:
- Openings large enough for bird entry and exit: Entry holes or gaps should be at least 1-2 inches across.
- Shelter from the elements: Wall cavities provide protection from predators, wind, rain and temperature extremes.
- Suitable nesting sites: Structural elements, loose insulation or debris can all provide nest-building material.
- Adequate food and water sources: Nearby feeders, fruit trees or other food sources are ideal, along with moisture.
- Little disturbance from noise or human activity.
With proper openings for access, protection from the outside world and resources to meet basic needs inside, walls can create safe havens for birds seeking nesting sites in urban and suburban areas. Species well-adapted to exploiting structural cavities may readily colonize wall voids.
What types of birds live in walls?
The most common species of birds found inhabiting interior wall spaces of buildings include:
- European starlings
- House sparrows
- Rock pigeons
- Chimney swifts
- Woodpeckers
- Wrens
- Bluebirds
- Titmice
- Swallows
- Owls
Starlings, sparrows, pigeons and chimney swifts are all cavity nesters that readily accept man-made structures as surrogates for natural nesting locations. Woodpeckers may chisel new cavities, while smaller songbirds simply take advantage of existing openings. Even larger species like owls sometimes inhabit walls, as their prey often concentrates around human dwellings.
Why do birds nest and roost in walls?
Birds are drawn to wall habitats because they provide many advantages over exposed exterior nesting:
- Protection from predators and elements
- Insulation maintaining stable temperatures
- Materials for soft, secure nests
- Elevation above ground-dwelling predators
- Exploitation of human-provided food and water
- Abundant cavities for nesting and roosting
The cavities, insulation and seclusion found inside walls creates safe, hospitable reproduction and resting sites. Birds can easily defend nests and are sheltered from harsh weather. Nearby feeders or trash containing food scraps may also supplement nutrition.
What are signs of birds living inside walls?
Detecting bird occupation inside walls early can prevent major issues down the road. Warning signs include:
- Noisy chirping, scratching or thumping from inside walls
- Regular activity or sightings of birds entering or exiting openings
- Nesting materials like straw, twigs or feathers projecting from gaps
- White bird droppings around openings or under roost sites
- Feathers, eggshells or waste accumulating under openings
- Unpleasant odors from nests, young birds or bird waste
Paying attention to times of day when noise and activity occur, checking for signs of nesting and watching for birds near likely access points can reveal if wall-dwelling birds may be present.
Why are birds living in walls a problem?
While wall cavities offer an enticing habitat for many species, birds occupying interior walls can cause various issues:
- Noise from scratching, vocalizations, droppings hitting walls
- Foul odors from nesting debris, bird waste
- Ectoparasites like bird mites entering living spaces and biting humans
- Feces and waste material building up, causing unsanitary conditions and stains
- Structural damage over time from nesting activities and waste accumulation
- Health risks from dried bird waste and feathers stirring up allergens or disease organisms
- Attraction of insects, rodents and other pests to nesting areas
Bird infestations inside walls can quickly transition from a nuisance to a more significant problem affecting living conditions and home integrity. Swift removal is important once established.
Removal methods when birds inhabit walls
Extracting unwanted birds from wall interiors and preventing re-entry will require an integrated approach including:
- Locating probable entry holes and sealing with hardware cloth, caulk, wood, metal or other durable materials
- Deterring entry with repellents, frightening devices or exterior barriers
- Removal of nests and habitat improvement to discourage re-use
- Trapping birds attempting to enter or installing one-way exclusion devices
- Professional assessment and possible tenting for large infestations
Preventing accessibility is key. Sealing even minor gaps birds can fit through discourages roosting and nesting. Physical removal of nests and habitat modification also helps make areas less inviting. Filling wall voids with insulation deters re-occupancy. Follow-up monitoring is important too.
Can attempts to remove birds worsen issues?
In some cases, Do-It-Yourself removal efforts cause more problems. Potential risks include:
- Partial sealing traps birds inside walls alive
- Startling birds with loud noises or vigorous wall shaking leads them to nest elsewhere within walls
- removing exterior nests late in breeding season spurs nest rebuilding inside walls instead
- Improper use of pesticides kills adults, leaving helpless young alive in walls
Well-meaning but ineffective removal attempts may disperse birds deeper inside walls rather than extracting them. Care must be taken to avoid harming birds, containing waste inside walls, or prompting nest relocation rather than permanent eviction.
When to call a professional for bird extraction
In severe cases of bird infestation inside walls, professional wildlife control experts should be consulted. Professional assistance is recommended when:
- Large numbers of birds or extensive waste accumulates within walls
- Dangers exist like electrical hazards, biohazards or structural instability
- Birds appear trapped inside cavities or Attempts to evict birds fail
- Special equipment like lifts or scaffolding is needed to access entry points
- Legal restrictions apply for capture methods or timing due to protected status
Calling qualified wildlife removal contractors ensures proper bird extraction, debris cleanup, necessary repairs and prevention of recurrence. Professionals have specialized tools, legal permits and experience needed to mitigate large or risky infestations.
Prevention tips to keep birds out of walls
Stopping bird infiltration into walls in the first place is most effective. Prevention tips include:
- Identify and seal all potential entry holes into structures
- Install netting, hardware cloth or wire mesh over vents, openings
- Use bird repellent gels on ledges, rooflines and other landing spots
- Discourage roosting with spike strips or slope modifications
- Trim back trees and vegetation touching exterior walls
- Remove food sources attracting birds like trash and outdoor pet food
- Use outdoor ultrasonic repellers to deter bird entry
Ongoing inspection and proactive repairs to the building envelope denies birds access opportunities. Exclusion and harassment techniques also help make areas less welcoming. Careful sanitation around the home minimizes attractions.
Conclusion
Birds seeking shelter and nesting locations can find their way inside wall voids through small exterior gaps. Species adapted to cavities may flourish nesting deep within structural recesses away from predators. While wall interiors offer benefits to birds, infestations create noise, mess, damage and health issues for human occupants. Sealing all possible entrance points deters nesting. Trapping and habitat modification can remove established colonies. In severe cases, professional removal helps fully evict birds and prevent future wall occupation. With vigilance, proactive repairs and exclusion tactics, homes can be kept bird-free.