How to Catch a Bird in Your Basement

Remove a bird safely and humanely.

Birds can sometimes fly into your house accidentally. You can usually simply open a window and let a bird fly out, but if the bird gets trapped in a basement this may not be an option and you'll have to catch the bird. There are two easy methods to catching a bird, one using a cage and the other using a net. Both require a certain amount of patience, but they will allow you to humanely remove the bird without having to call pest control.

Things You'll Need

• Bird cage
• Small dish
• Bird food
• Fishing line
• Net curtain
• Scissors

Instructions

Cage

1. Place a bird cage in the basement with food inside it. Leave the door open and allow the bird to eat in peace.

2. Repeat this for several days until the bird regularly eats from the food dish. This means that the bird has come to recognize the cage as a source of food.

3. Tie a piece of fishing line to the cage door and put in a dish of food.

4. Hide somewhere in the basement, holding the other end of the fishing line.

5. Wait for the bird to enter the cage, then pull the fishing line to close the cage door. Take the bird outside and release it.

Net

1. Observe the bird for several days to determine its flight patterns and the places that it likes to roost.

2. Cut a piece of net curtain from a fabric store to a size that you can easily carry and throw.

3. Slowly and calmly walk up to the bird, holding the net curtain in front of you. Throw the net curtain over the bird when you are close enough, or when it tries to fly.

   If you are unsuccessful, leave the basement for several hours to allow the bird to calm down.

4. Take the netted bird outside and release it, taking care to avoid the beak and claws.

References

• The Daily Puppy; How to Make a Homemade Bird Trap; Miguel Leiva-Gomez
• Zyra.net: How to Catch a Wild Bird That's Flapping About in Your House