Don't Wing It: What to Do If a Bird Is Trapped in Your Chimney

Hearing fluttering sounds above your fireplace? You’re not imagining things. If you’re in Worthing, Brighton, or anywhere across East and West Sussex, chances are a curious gull, jackdaw, or pigeon has taken a wrong turn and got itself in a bit of a pickle. Having a bird trapped in the chimney space isn’t exactly what you planned for your day, but it’s more common than you might think.

While the bird might be panicking, it’s important that you stay calm and avoid doing anything that could cause harm to the bird or your home. This guide will walk you through safe, legal steps to take and when it’s time to call in the professionals.

First Things First — Is There Really a Bird Up There?

Before you start planning a rescue mission, just take a moment to confirm what you’re dealing with. Sometimes what sounds like a trapped bird might actually be nesting activity or even bats. Listen (and look) for the signs of a bird trapped in the chimney:

• Scratching or scrabbling sounds from inside the chimney breast or flue
• The sound of flapping wings (they might sound a bit frantic)
• Muffled chirping, squawking, or calling
• Soot or debris falling into your fireplace, stirred by movement above
• Occasional silence, followed by sudden noise, indicating the bird is alive and disoriented.

If you hear consistent activity, especially over several hours, it’s likely a bird has made its way down the chimney and can’t get back out. In coastal areas like Worthing and Hove, seagulls are particularly prone to chimney mishaps – they’re bold, curious, and not always the best at judging tight spaces.

Whatever You Do, Don’t…

We know the temptation to “just sort it yourself” can be strong, but birds in chimneys are surprisingly delicate situations, and UK law takes it seriously. Here are some definite no-nos…

Don’t light a fire

This might seem obvious, but it’s worth saying: never light a fire to try and scare or smoke the bird out, no matter how small. You could harm the bird, cause it to panic and injure itself further, or even kill it, and that’s not just cruel – it could also be illegal under UK wildlife protection laws.

Don’t try poking the bird

Banging on the chimney walls and poking up the chimney with sticks or brooms can injure the bird or lodge it deeper in the flue. Birds that are already stressed don’t need additional panic.

Don’t try to flush it out

Don’t attempt to hose or flush the bird out. Water will likely cause more distress or hypothermia. You risk doing serious harm, not to mention all that water will end up back in your house, creating a big mess.

Don’t block the bottom

Keep the fireplace or stove area clear. If the bird does manage to get down, you want it to have a clear escape route (keep a window open nearby just in case).

Don’t assume it’ll find its own way out

While some birds do manage to escape on their own, many become increasingly exhausted and disoriented. The longer they’re trapped, the weaker they become, making self-rescue less likely. In these cases, professional help is the best way to humanely help them find the exit.

Don’t ignore wildlife law

Attempting removal without knowing what you’re doing (or if it’s a protected species) can leave you facing legal trouble, even if it’s unintentional.

Legal Stuff: What the Law Says About Bird Removal

In the UK, wild birds (and their nests and eggs) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This means that you cannot harm, trap, kill, or intentionally disturb wild birds. You must not remove or destroy an active nest (even from chimneys or roof spaces) without a special licence. Even in a rescue situation, careless handling or injury can land you in hot water.

What this means for you: You can take reasonable steps to help a trapped bird escape, but you need to be careful not to cause harm. If there’s any doubt about the species or the best approach, it’s always better to call in the professionals. Don’t worry, helping a genuinely trapped bird escape isn’t going to land you in legal trouble. The law is designed to prevent cruelty, not punish people trying to help.

So, What Can You Do?

The safest and most responsible thing to do is: don’t touch, don’t tease, don’t tamper. Then…

1. Give the bird some time (maybe 30 minutes to an hour) to see if it can find its own way out. Sometimes they do manage it, especially if they’re not too far down.
2. Turn off any loud noises and keep people and pets away from the fireplace so they don’t escalate the situation.
3. Close off the room so that the bird doesn’t fly deeper into your home.
4. Create a clear exit route by opening windows near the fireplace and turning off the lights. Birds will naturally head towards the source of light (the windows).
5. If the bird hasn’t escaped within an hour or two, or if you can hear persistent flapping or distress, it’s time to call in professionals who specialise in pest control for birds.

If the bird does make it into the room, stay calm and still. Keep the escape routes open and give the bird space to orient itself and fly out. Don’t try to catch it unless absolutely necessary.

When to Call Pest Stop Boys

If you have a bird trapped in your chimney, some situations definitely do call for professional help:

• The bird has been trapped for more than 24 hours
• You can hear multiple birds
• The bird sounds injured or distressed
• You don’t want to cause the bird any harm
• Previous DIY attempts haven’t worked
• You suspect there might be nesting activity.

If you can’t see a safe way to get the bird out, don’t take risks. We’re here to help. Whether it’s a panicked pigeon or a grumpy gull, we specialise in humane bird removal across Worthing and the South East, and our team is trained to handle local wildlife with care. We can often resolve these situations quickly with the right equipment and experience. We also provide advice on prevention measures to stop it from happening again.

Keeping Birds Out in Future

Prevention really is better than cure when it comes to pest control for birds. Birds don’t get stuck in chimneys on purpose – they’re often looking for shelter or nesting spots (especially during breeding season). Here are some prevention tips…

1. Fit a bird guard or chimney cowl. They’re pretty discreet, and the mesh sides allow smoke and gases to escape while keeping birds out.
2. Trim nearby trees. Overhanging branches can provide launching points for curious birds. Keeping them trimmed back reduces the temptation.
3. Speak to Pest Stop Boys about our long-term bird-proofing and prevention solutions.

A bird trapped in the chimney can be distressing, but it doesn’t have to be a crisis. The key is staying calm and knowing when to call in the experts.