Thread: Bird stuck in the roof space

Never thought I’d be posting about this, but I’ve got something making consistent scuffling and shuffling noises every 30 seconds or so up in the roof. It’s been going since this morning and still going strong at 9pm.

I’ve been up into the ceiling space twice and can’t see or hear it while I’m up there, but as soon as I’m back in the room, the noise starts up again. It seems to be between the building paper and the iron, right in the corner of the house, possibly between the eave and the wall.

I’ve been outside and kept an eye on the gutter area and haven’t seen any entry or exit movement of any animals. Guessing it could be a bird that got stuck?

This is a standard 1960s weatherboard house, iron roof, pink batts.

Any smart ways to deal with this without ripping anything open? At this stage, cutting a hole in the ceiling is starting to look like a viable option.

Would appreciate any tricks or experiences others have had.

have had some experience-- yes given the noise is constant or at least regular trapped bird would be first quess - rats generally only noisy at night - well sorry me old china but its most likely you will need to get at it and capture kill it - you will not be able to lure it out - be prepared with a spear a light one with a barb - spear it and pull it out - or no 8 wire and form a small hook is what may be required - but you will need to get at it - yes a hole in ceiling may well be a final option - try going up into ceiling space then turn light out and remain silent - make take a little while but when its quiet bird animal cant hear you or see light it may start moving again if it thinks threat has gone - when you do get it then where did it get in - we had sparrows and they got in thru one point under the iron - some of that foam hardening stuff cured that - squirt in and it turns solid - watch out dont use to much it expands ( ask me how I know ) ohhh good luck - I just hope its not a bloody possum they are a handfull - but they need quite a hole and only struck one in an old whare with rotten weather boards and holes - good luck

Rat making a nest for winter or stuck bird. Either will be a right pain in the arse to deal with. If its still going 24 hours later it will be a rat. birds die quite quickly in that situation.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

have had some experience-- yes given the noise is constant or at least regular trapped bird would be first quess - rats generally only noisy at night - well sorry me old china but its most likely you will need to get at it and capture kill it - you will not be able to lure it out - be prepared with a spear a light one with a barb - spear it and pull it out - or no 8 wire and form a small hook is what may be required - but you will need to get at it - yes a hole in ceiling may well be a final option - try going up into ceiling space then turn light out and remain silent - make take a little while but when its quiet bird animal cant hear you or see light it may start moving again if it thinks threat has gone - when you do get it then where did it get in - we had sparrows and they got in thru one point under the iron - some of that foam hardening stuff cured that - squirt in and it turns solid - watch out dont use to much it expands ( ask me how I know ) ohhh good luck - I just hope its not a bloody possum they are a handfull - but they need quite a hole and only struck one in an old whare with rotten weather boards and holes - good luck

Barry I wish you were wrong but I think you're probably right. I have just been up the ladder having a good poke with some wire from outside, didn't manage to spook any movement, but as I type now, I can hear that wing hitting building paper. I almost wish it was a possum, it would be easier to find!.
I will try your idea of going in the roof space and staying still with the light off. Will update accordingly.

Originally Posted by XR500

Rat making a nest for winter or stuck bird. Either will be a right pain in the arse to deal with. If its still going 24 hours later it will be a rat. birds die quite quickly in that situation.

At this point, I am thinking bird, it is consistently in the same place, making the same repetitive noise.

if you get a chance at it like you see it dont muck around less you make it go into a place where it becomes a major to get at it thats where a barbed spear is good

When the bird has died and you are foaming up the gaps one sunny day (ie not tomorrow in the Wairarapa) I can recommend spraying the gap with water before foaming it up, water is like a primer for expanding foam and helps it stick
Have done our place due to swallows and starlings - I'd stand well back from the house and watch where they were trying to get in, even the fantails were getting in on the act, had to put chickenwire hat on the chimney

Cut off excess foam with a Tajima knife after it has dried and if it has expanded too much you can melt it back down with a spray of petrol but that can get a bit messy
Selleys foam is crap
Save Fast food drink straws (the fat ones) for the foam can and you can push them on to the end of the can nipple then use them once and chuck them out without having to biff the whole can away


Meantime, the bird has to die

Oven cleaner spray? That shit will kill in a confined space

Just don't gas yaself and fall through the ceiling, not a good look

If you or a neighbour has a cat, throw that up there and see where it goes, if it's stuck between the paper and iron you'll still need to dig it out but the cat may help you find it.

Got a net?

Well I just re-enacted the glory days of my electrical apprenticeship, @Barry the hunter, your idea worked. I managed to figure out exactly where he is by waiting quietly. Bird is just behind the barge board between the paper and the iron. I think it's a bit like a cat between the baffles of a DOC250, can get in, but in the confined space, can't line up with the hole to get out, or can't get the footing to push himself through. Even using all of my skills, I just couldn't quite stretch to the spot where I could squash the poor bugger out of his misery. The roof pitch is just too shallow to slide in there, and I don't want to end up in the same dilemma as old mate either. Looks like a squirt of coal mine gas under the iron might be the best most humane option at this point.

Originally Posted by 308

Got a net?

I have the materials and the motivation to make one if you have an idea

Originally Posted by longshot

I have the materials and the motivation to make one if you have an idea

Yeah gas him by all means, my net idea was a bit basic in terms of throwing the net over the area where he was holed up then poking him with No8 wire till he panicked and flew into the net stretched across the access to the main roofspace but it sounds like the wee spastic little bastard is stuck fast

Oven cleaner spray from the outside hole should deprive him of oxygen if you can get access to it and he is stuck without being able to fly further inside

got a thermal?

Any results yet?

Originally Posted by Dundee

Any results yet?

I just emptied five CO2 canisters into the spot where he is, and haven't heard anything for some time. Hopefully he's out for good and not just having a nap.