wild black bird loose in my house

[SunMommy]

One of my cats alerted me to a wild black bird stuck in my chimney. My husband and I tried to get it out without letting it loose in the house, but he got out anyways. Then he flew around for a good 15 minutes before we caught him. My husbnad knocked him in mid flight with a peice of cardboard and stunned him, but the bird did not get hurt. I was very worried about hurting the bird. We let him go outside and he flew off. My only concern is with Pyro. I am worried that this bird may have introduced something horrible into the air of my house. I dont want Pyro to get sick and I dont know what to do.

 

[mcw009]

I'm not sure there's much you can do, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it. If the wild bird pooped in your house, obviously clean it up well (as if you wouldn't do that anyway!) and keep an eye on your bird for any warning signs. But really most wild birds are pretty healthy, they rarely have ornithosis , and there aren't a whole bunch of airborne diseases to be concerned with.

A lot of wild birds do have mites and other parasites, but if he didn't come in physical contact with your bird and you don't let your bird come in contact with its droppings, I'd say it's highly unlikely that your bird will pick anything up.

 

[roxynoodle]

Chances are good it doesn't have a bacterial infection as being a wild bird, the bacteria would probably kill it quickly. And mites are probably not going to be a concern either since it wasn't there long, and didn't contact your bird.

It has happened to me as well, and my birds were fine both times. I had one break through a screen while I was at work. I came home to a pile of feathers and other parts in the middle of the floor. One of my cats or dogs got hold of the poor thing. Then I found the broken screen. The other time one came down my chimney and was in the wood burning stove. I wasn't sure what was in there, and was thinking squirrel actually. I finally opened the door and it flew out before I could get it in a box. I opened the front door and kept trying to chase it out the door. But, it would land on the top of the door, I'd go to shoo it out and then it would fly into the kitchen. This went on several times before I got it out.

My parents also had an owl come down their chimney and their bird was fine afterwards as well.

I think your birdie will be ok. Obviously keep an eye on her just in case.

 

[jjjenny]

I sure hope your bird will be okay. I once had a dachsund who caught a young bird outside and ran inside and put it under my bed. I lured my dog out of my bedroom with some chicken and then got a paper towel to pick up the bird. I reached under there and out it flew. Scared the crap out of me because I thought it was dead. After awhile I finally caught it and let it go outside.

 

[SunMommy]

Thanks for all the advice. I will be watching Pyro closely. One good thing is that they were not on the same level of the house, so maybe that will help. I haven't noticed any droppings anywhere. He did get up into the ceiling of my basement a few times, so I don't know what he left behind while in there. It sure was an ordeal though. My five year old son thought it was the coolest thing in the world and my 11 year old daughter wanted to keep the bird. That was never going to happen though.

 

[MikeyTN]

Just make sure you guys wash your hands and change clothes before attempting holding pyro.

 

[SunMommy]

Just make sure you guys wash your hands and change clothes before attempting holding pyro.

Yes that was the first thing we did.