Summer days make you want to throw open your windows and doors. But what happens when more than sunshine and breezes come in? If a wild bird has flown into your house, and you want to get it out safely, we’re here to help.
Why Do Birds Fly into Open Windows and Doors?
Put simply, birds are always on their way somewhere. And when they see what looks like a clear route, they take it. So it’s easy for them to mistake a clear sightline for one that goes straight into your living room, only to find itself trapped and searching for a way out. Add to that an inviting interior light, and it draws wild birds in. These are also the main reasons for window strikes, when a bird strikes a window or glass door, thinking it’s transparent.
Window strikes kill up to 1 billion birds each year. To learn how to prevent them, read the post “5 Ways to Prevent Window Collisions and Keep Birds Safe.”
How to Get a Trapped Bird Out of Your House
Try to isolate the bird in one room
Cutting off access to the entire house will increase your chances of getting the bird back outside safely and quickly.
Remove young children and pets from the area
Excited children and pets like cats and dogs can stress the wild bird. And your pet may try to catch or kill the bird. Keeping kids and pets out of the area will make it easier to direct the bird back outside without as much chaos or danger to the bird.
Stay calm
Wild birds are nervous around humans as it is, and a trapped bird is even more agitated, so staying calm will benefit both you and the bird. Avoid talking to it or making sudden movements or erratic hand gestures.
Close closet doors and cabinets
Make sure small spaces like these are blocked, to prevent the bird from getting stuck in them.
Open a window or exterior door
You’ll want to make an exit for the bird, and the bigger the exit, the more likely they will take it. If the room the wild bird is in has windows, open up the largest one (and removing the screen). If there is a door—say a sliding or French door that leads outside—even better!
Turn off all lights in the room
This step is especially important at night, when the bird will likely be drawn to any interior lights. You want the exit window or door to attract them instead.
Wait it out…or use a bed sheet to direct the bird
If you can wait out the bird, it may exit on its own. But if not, you can use a large bed sheet. Hold up the sheet as high as you can, holding it so that it hangs flat in front of you. Position yourself so that the bird is between you and the exit, and slowly walk towards the bird, directing it so that it flies out. Once it does, immediately close the window or door.
If all else fails, call the experts
If you can’t get the bird to fly out on its own, or if the bird is injured or sick, reach out to your local animal control or wildlife rehabilitator for help.
How to Prevent Birds from Flying into Your House
- Keep exterior doors and windows closed, or open with screens. A simple solution, and one that allows you to ventilate your home while preventing unwanted feathered visitors.
- Hang shiny objects near any entryway. Most birds don’t like shiny objects, so hanging a windchime, holographic paper, or anything else that reflects light will deter them.
- Put decals or stickers on closed windows, and turn off all interior lights at night in rooms you’re not using. Light attracts birds, especially at night. This will prevent window strikes as well as birds flying in open entryways and getting trapped. You can also use tall plants near doors and windows to create a visual barrier that tells birds its not a clear fly zone.
- Place bird feeders away from windows and doors. Birds like to feed in a place with a bit of shelter and away from noise and foot traffic. Hang bird feeders near large bushes or in trees—away from any entryways—to keep them entertained elsewhere.
More Wild Bird Tips for the Home
- How to Stop Birds from Pecking on Your House
- How to Stop Birds from Building Nests on Your House
- Should You Remove Old Nests from Birdhouses and Nest Boxes?
- Poison-free Pest Control
Want to Get Out of the House?
Check out our upcoming events at the Chirp Nature Center! Peruse a list of our upcoming Bird Walks, where we guide you on a walking tour through some of our local birding hotspots of the Big Bear Valley.
Love getting on the water? Join us in October for an exclusive birding cruise around Big Bear Lake! You’re sure to get an eyeful of our local avian friends, including American White Pelicans and Western Grebes.
Want to enjoy Big Bear birds from your couch? Check out our list of recorded Bird Walks and Bird Talks, courtesy of the Chirp YouTube channel.
