Birds and humans have had to co-exist for many years, and even with this co-existing setup, we aren’t fully used to having the other around. Birds generally fear humans and humans can suffer the unfortunate situation of having a bird trapped in our house. If the bird has flown into your chimney you’ll need to get it out before it perishes. This article explores what to do if a bird is stuck in your chimney behind a gas fire.

The best course of action is to let the bird fly out safely on its own. To help the bird find its way out, you’ll need to open windows and doors to let light into the chimney, the bird will then fly towards the light out of the chimney. Alternatively, reach for the bird and release it yourself if it can’t get out in its own 

Bird stuck in the chimney behind the gas fire, what to do

A bird stuck in a wood fireplace is easy enough to handle. But a bird stuck in a chimney behind a gas fire is a different kettle of fish. Gas catches fire easily and is not controllable like a wood fire which dies out if you remove the burning wood. 

A bird stuck in a gas chimney behind the fireplace should be left to escape naturally in the best-case scenario. Draw it out with light from open windows and doors, and allow it to flutter away to safety. If you can reach for it, remove it from the chimney and release it out into the wild if it is not injured. If it is injured, take it to a vet for examination and treatment. 

How long does it take a trapped bird to die?

A trapped bird will likely die in two to seven days due to a lack of water, food and exhaustion. A bird needs to keep replenishing its body with water every few hours due to its high metabolic rate. Too much time without water makes it weak due to dehydration. Additionally, a bird’s instinctive fight or flight reaction is activated as a result of being trapped in a confined space, confined spaces frighten birds. All these factors add up to a very weak bird that usually dies of exhaustion in a few days. 

Can a bird fly back out of a chimney?

The size of the bird determines if it will be able to fly out of the chimney. The smaller the bird, the more space it will have to flap its wings and generate enough lift to get out of the chimney. A larger bird may struggle with having enough space to flap its wings or climbing up the chimney. Very large birds need help to get out of chimneys. In all cases, if there is a need for intervention, it should be done by a qualified person. 

What kinds of birds build nests in chimneys?

Birds that use sticky material to build their nests are likely to build inside chimneys. Some types of swallows build their nests with sticky mud and other materials. Other birds may find a position where non-sticky materials will fit and build a nest there. Birds that are small in size can also build a nest in the chimney as their size allows for them to fit in the confined space. A chimney swift comes to mind when you think of birds that can fit in chimneys. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, if a bird is stuck in your chimney the best and safest thing to do is to get it to come out on its own. Open your doors and windows to get light into the chimney, the bird will hopefully follow the light and fly out safely. If the bird does not come out on its own, you may need to reach in and grab the bird to get it free. If the bird cannot get out it will die in 7 days due to a lack of food and water. If the bird is too large to fly out of the chimney itself, you’ll need professional help to set it free.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other bird related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Will bleach keep birds away?, How did a bird get into my house?, How do birds grow feathers?, Why do birds fly in front of cars?