If you notice that a bird has settled in your house, the first step is to stay calm and let the bird fly away. Birds are delicate and slow-moving creatures, and they do not like to be disturbed. However, when you cannot get the bird to leave, there are some things you can do to ensure its safety.
Avoid yelling, scream or immediately striking a bird
If you notice a bird inside your house, it is best to keep the room locked and turn off any ceiling fans or other sources of ventilation. You should also cover any hot pots or other fixtures in the room to make it more difficult for the bird to fly away. Finally, take any domesticated pets out of the room, if there are any.
Screaming or yelling at a bird is counterproductive and may even reinforce the problem. Some birds thrive on drama and raw emotion, and these actions will only reinforce the behavior you want to avoid.
Remain calm while you get a bird out of your house
Birds can easily enter a house through cracked doors and open windows. It is important to keep house pets away from the bird while trying to get it out. Cats are known to chase birds and can make them even more frantic. It is also important to close any additional entrances and lights to the house to help keep the bird away.
Birds can also be lured out of a house by providing food or water. To do this, position the bird’s bowl of food or water near the exit. Light from a flashlight should help the bird to notice the exit. Once the bird notices its food or water, gently coax it out.
Close curtains on all windows
Birds are often attracted to windows if you have plants nearby. They use windows as perches, and if the windows are not bird-proof, birds can fly in and hit them. Luckily, there are other ways to keep birds out of your home. You can put up shutters and curtains or install vertical blinds. Make sure to only open them partially to keep them from flying in.
If the bird has already flown through the window, you can use a flat sheet to keep the bird out. You can also use a bird care kit that contains a dark container, a towel, and gloves. Place these supplies in an area where you can grab them quickly. Do not approach the bird while it is trapped.
Avoid sudden movements that might frighten the bird
One of the most effective ways to prevent a bird from becoming frightened is to avoid sudden movements. Birds are frightened by sudden movements, especially flashing lights, so it is important to be very careful not to startle them. Another way to discourage a bird from flying away is to tie an old CD to a bush or tree. This will send rays of light in all directions, scaring the bird away. These reflective objects should be moved every few days.
Avoid catching a bird with a net
Although a bird’s presence can be charming, it can also pose a danger, such as poop, which is highly infectious and can spread disease. To avoid this problem, you should always wash off bird droppings and try to avoid catching the bird itself. Also, blocking the bird’s access to a nest or roost with netting, a block of wood, or Styrofoam material can be effective. A visual deterrent, such as a plastic owl with a “bobble head,” is another effective way to scare the bird away.
Another way to get rid of a bird in your house is by keeping the door and windows closed. This will discourage the bird from entering the house, which can be a source of food for it. You can also block the doorways by putting blankets and towels or pinning them shut.
