Bird in the loft

Helsieboo

Hi everyone,

We have a parakeet flying around our loft. They are common where we are and now one is flapping about the loft and can't get out. RSPCA weren't very helpful and won't come and remove it; the advice was to open a window and leave the loft open, but our windows don't open wide enough for it to get out. We phoned our letting agent this morning and they said just to leave it.

Having done some research, even a single parakeet can do a lot of damage in a short space of time and I don't really want to leave it there. I don't want to pay pest control and neither does my boyfriend (and to be honest, I don't want them killing it), but if the bird got in due to an opening in the structure, surely it's down to the ll/la to remove? It isn't a starling and it isn't nesting, so as far as I can see, removing it isn't illegal. It's also really annoying!

Help anyone?

maninthestreet

Buy a net?

DRP

Helsieboo wrote: »

Hi everyone,

We have a parakeet flying around our loft. They are common where we are and now one is flapping about the loft and can't get out. RSPCA weren't very helpful and won't come and remove it; the advice was to open a window and leave the loft open, but our windows don't open wide enough for it to get out. We phoned our letting agent this morning and they said just to leave it.

Having done some research, even a single parakeet can do a lot of damage in a short space of time and I don't really want to leave it there. I don't want to pay pest control and neither does my boyfriend (and to be honest, I don't want them killing it), but if the bird got in due to an opening in the structure, surely it's down to the ll/la to remove? It isn't a starling and it isn't nesting, so as far as I can see, removing it isn't illegal. It's also really annoying!

Help anyone?

Open the window?
Put some bird seed on the window sill?

if the LL/agency doesn't seem worried about the damage, then get something in writing from them to substantiate this. You don't want to be stung when you leave the property

Barneysmom

Open the loft hatch and leave all the doors closed except one so he flies (hopefully) into that room so you can catch him in there. It'll probably take a while though.
He won't hurt you.

googler

Lure it into a cage trap with bait so that you can lift out the trap and release it at your leisure

Or, as others suggest, lure it out with the promise of food. Trail of breadcrumbs, as they say, and get it to follow the trail to freedom.

Lay newspaper or similar out over the floor and furnishings along the trail, as it may leave a calling card or two as it feeds......

Try posting in the birds section of www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk to see if the folks there have more ideas.

00ec25

it got in somewhere, it will find its own way out again if you are so terrified of it that you won't do anything about it yourself

can't believe you think the LA/LL should turn up and remove it for you, do you need a boy scout to help you cross the road?

Helsieboo

00ec25 wrote: »

it got in somewhere, it will find its own way out again if you are so terrified of it that you won't do anything about it yourself

can't believe you think the LA/LL should turn up and remove it for you, do you need a boy scout to help you cross the road?

It's a massive parakeet and I am more concerned about the damage it can cause. If it was a tiny sparrow I wouldn't be worried. Do you need someone to tell you quite how rude you are? Came on asking for advice about problem, not for nasty remarks.

To everyone else , thanks but our windows aren't big enough. Boyfriend already tried catching it but nearly got his hand gouged for his trouble. Top floor flat so we can't leave the front door open either !

My main concern was of it causing damage as I don't want to be held liable if it does damage the loft as not our fault it got in.

picklepick

Google wildlife or bird charities in your area. Ring around a few and see if anyone can help you or they probably know someone who can lend you a trap.

olias

To the OP, your windows must be wide enough - building regs state that there must be at least some in the house big enough to escape in case of fire - if there are not, then you need to take this up with your landlord. I am not aware of any house that doesn't have at least one casement or sash window?

Olias

Welshwoofs

Helsieboo wrote: »

My main concern was of it causing damage as I don't want to be held liable if it does damage the loft as not our fault it got in.

With all due respect, your main concern should be the welfare of the bird! Being trapped will be terrifying it and it'll die of dehydration or starvation which is not a nice way to go.

All you need to is put some peanuts and water on the floor, wait quietly crouched in a corner with a sheet or blanket and when it lands, throw the blanket over it, gather it up and take it outside.

It's honestly not that difficult - I've had jackdaws etc down the chimney and even a pigeon that flew in and couldn't get out again as it was panicing.

And no, it's not your landlord's responsibility to come and remove a bird for you.

olias

And parakeets are not massive...

Olias