Hear that chirping coming from your chimney? There's a good chance that a family of birds has decided to move in and call your chimney home. Chimney Swifts are quite common and love to make chimney flues their homes. However, what many homeowners don't know is that Chimney Swifts are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Therefore we are unable to remove them from the chimney. The homeowner will have to wait until the Chimney Swifts leave on their own, afterwards a chimney professional should be called in to clean the flue and install a chimney cap to prevent further visitors.

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Are They Stuck Or Did They Enter On Purpose?
The first thing to figure out when you realize that there is an animal in your chimney is whether they are stuck or if they came inside on purpose. Wildlife that climb trees and walk on roofs may easily mistake your chimney for a tree and then accidentally fall inside without a way to get out. It is also possible that a raccoon or other animal decided that your chimney made the perfect spot to give birth to and raise her young. In most cases, you will be able to tell whether the animal is stuck or not based on the types of sounds they make. Those that are stuck tend to be more frantic in their movements, scratching repeatedly or flapping their wings. If an animal entered your chimney on purpose, their noises will likely be less frantic and more regular in nature. If you only hear the sounds at a certain time, assume they animal took up residence there on purpose. Hearing the sounds of baby animals is a giveaway that your chimney became the den of choice for an animal.

Most Common Animals In Chimneys
Unfortunately, you will have much better luck getting an animal out of your chimney if you know what type of animal it is. The wildlife that most commonly gets stuck in chimneys include squirrels and birds. Raccoons are among the most common intentional occupants. You should be able to make an educated guess about the animal in question based on the type of noises it makes, when it makes it, and any feces that are visible. Knowing the type of animal will guide your actions to some extent in getting them out.

Should I Try and Remove the Animal Myself?

Never attempt to remove wildlife by yourself. Trapped wildlife are likely to be agitated and aggressive. Be sure to call a professional for your safety and the safety of the animals.