If you hear chirping or fluttering in your fireplace, a bird likely slipped into your chimney, often during spring shelter seeking. Here is how to confirm what is happening, create a safe lighted exit, and decide when to call a licensed wildlife pro. You will protect the bird, your family, and your home while avoiding costly damage.
Confirm It Is a Bird and Not Something Else
Before you act, make sure the sound is coming from the flue or firebox, not the roof or a loose cap. Tap the firebox gently and listen for fluttering or short chirps that come from inside the chimney path.
Look for soot, feathers, twigs, or ash on the hearth. A faint, sour smell can build if a bird has been trapped for hours or if an old nest is present.
Watch the chimney top for birds circling or diving, which often means nesting activity rather than a single lost adult. If you see repeated swoops into the flue, pause and read the legal section below.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America reports animal calls spike in spring and early summer as wildlife seeks warm, vertical spaces. Confirming the location first reduces panic and prevents you from pushing the bird deeper into the flue.
Make the Room Safe Before You Start
Move pets to another room and keep kids away from the hearth. Put on gloves and eye protection, and place a sheet or cardboard in front of the fireplace to catch soot and debris.
Turn off any appliance that vents into the same flue until the chimney is cleared and checked. The CDC reports carbon monoxide kills at least 430 people in the U.S. each year, and tens of thousands visit the ER, so treat venting as a serious safety issue. See cdc.gov for guidance.
Keep the room quiet. Loud noises can drive the bird upward where it tires or injures itself. Do not reach up the flue and do not block the chimney top, which can trap smoke and the animal.
Step by Step – Guide the Bird Out Humanely
Your goal is a calm room with one bright, obvious path to the outside. This method works well for a single adult bird when no nest is present.
- Close all interior doors so the bird stays in one room.
- Open the chimney damper fully. If you have glass doors, open them so the bird can enter the firebox.
- Darken the room by turning off lights and closing shades. Open one exterior door or window only.
- Place a bright light near the open exit to draw the bird toward it. A flashlight or lamp works.
- Optional: set a small bright light at the fireplace opening to guide the bird down into the room.
- Step out and wait quietly for 10 to 30 minutes so the bird calms and follows the light.
- If the bird enters the room, stay still. It should fly to the bright exit on its own.
Never light a fire or try to smoke out the animal, as heat and fumes can kill the bird and create a serious house fire risk. If the bird does not exit after several tries or shows signs of injury, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or a chimney professional trained in humane removal.
Laws, Protected Species and When to Call a Pro
Many native birds are legally protected. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service states, “Most native birds in the United States are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.” See the USFWS overview at fws.gov for details.
If you find a nest with eggs or baby birds, do not remove it yourself. Chimney swifts commonly nest in flues in spring and summer, and their active nests are protected until the young have fledged.
| Situation | DIY Safe | Call a Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Single adult bird, no nest visible | Yes | Only if it will not exit |
| Nest with eggs or baby birds | No | Yes – legal protections apply |
| Large or aggressive species | No | Yes – risk of injury |
| Unsure which species is inside | No | Yes – identify first |
| Injured or exhausted bird | No | Yes – humane rescue needed |
If you suspect chimney swifts, contact a local wildlife rehab group or your state wildlife agency for next steps. Audubon and state natural resource websites offer species ID help and legal guidance.
After the Bird Is Out – Clean, Inspect and Restore
Close the damper and secure the room. Sweep up fallen soot and debris while wearing gloves and a dust mask. Bag and discard loose nesting material that is not part of an active protected nest.
Schedule a chimney inspection. NFPA 211 states that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. An annual Level 1 inspection can catch cracked flue tiles, loose caps, or prior animal damage before the heating season.
If any smoke stains or odors persist, ask a CSIA certified sweep to clean and deodorize the flue. Bird droppings can carry pathogens, so disinfect hearth surfaces after cleanup.
Before using the fireplace again, test carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries. The CDC notes that CO is odorless and colorless, so alarms are your early warning.
Keep Birds Out for Good – Prevention That Works
Once the flue is clear and legal restrictions are met, install a chimney cap with a spark guard and bird screen. Choose a corrosion resistant cap that fits tightly and allows full venting.
Quality matters. Cheap press fit caps loosen in wind and invite repeat problems, while screened, anchored models block entry without hurting airflow.
| Cap Type | Best Use | Key Features | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel mesh cap | Most masonry chimneys | 3/4 inch mesh, rain hood, anchored base | Durable and resists rust in 4 season climates |
| Galvanized steel cap | Mild climates, budget | Basic hood and screen | Lower cost but shorter life in wet or coastal air |
| Top mount cap with damper | Poor existing throat damper | Seals at top, reduces drafts | Professional install recommended for proper seal |
A well fitted cap with 3/4 inch mesh deters birds, squirrels, and debris while allowing safe draft. Recheck fasteners each fall and after major storms to keep the barrier secure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid and Expert Tips
Rushing or using force often backfires. Calm setup and a single bright exit beat brooms, towels, or loud noises every time.
- Do not light a fire to drive the bird out. Heat, smoke, and CO put lives at risk and can start a house fire.
- Avoid blocking the top of the chimney. Trapping airflow can suffocate the animal and push smoke into your home.
- Skip DIY removal if you hear multiple tiny peeps. That likely means nestlings protected by law.
NFPA 211 calls for yearly inspection, a standard echoed by the Chimney Safety Institute of America for safe operation. As the CDC explains, “CO is an odorless, colorless gas,” so well maintained venting and working alarms are essential in every home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Birds Out Of A Chimney
How do I get a bird out of my chimney without hurting it?
Darken the room, open one bright outside exit, open the damper, and place a light near the exit. Wait quietly for up to 30 minutes. Patience works better than force and keeps the bird safe.
Can I remove a bird nest from my chimney?
If the nest is active with eggs or chicks, do not remove it due to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. After fledging, a CSIA certified sweep can remove old material and install a cap to prevent new nesting.
What if the bird is stuck behind the damper?
Open glass doors, then gently open the damper while standing to the side. If the bird is wedged or injured, stop and call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for humane rescue.
How much does professional removal cost?
Simple humane removal often ranges from 150 to 400 dollars depending on access and species. If cleaning, inspection, and a new cap are added, total service can run 400 to 900 dollars in many regions.
Are chimney swifts dangerous to my home?
Swifts do not clog a flue with large nests like some species, but activity can still create debris and noise. Because they are protected while nesting, wait for fledging, then have the flue cleaned and capped.
Will a chimney cap stop birds permanently?
A stainless or top mount cap with 3/4 inch mesh prevents most entries when properly anchored. Inspect it yearly and after storms to ensure it has not loosened or rusted.
Disclaimer: This guide is for home safety education and does not replace inspection, legal advice, or wildlife rehabilitation services. Follow local laws and consult CSIA certified sweeps, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, or your state wildlife agency when required.
