Need advice; birds in the chimney

[BebopBaloo]

We don't have a cap on our chimney and I know that we need to get one.
However, right now, we have a birds nest in the chimney complete with twittering baby birds. I have no problem with them being in the chimney. I think the flue is closed. My concern is...will the baby birds be able to learn to fly inside of the chimney and thus be able to exit out the top with their parents? They have been in there for a couple weeks, at least mom and dad have, not really sure how long the eggs have been hatched. They never sound distressed, but I am getting worried about their exit strategy.

Anyone have experience with this?

 

[BebopBaloo]

Anyone????

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I'd call the local Audubon society. Maybe it matters what type of bird, too?

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I've listened to many a bird spend its infancy, toddlerhood and childhood in a nest up the flue of a chimney. Unless a baby bird falls out of the nest, they're fine. Why do you think Chimney Sweep birds are called Chimney Sweeps after all?

 

[DawnCt1]

We heard really loud fluttering in our chimney a couple of years ago in the spring. I opened the flew (sp) and down fell a HUGE bird. It looked like a duck but has black with white wing tips on it. I picked it up, carried it to the door and away it flew. If your chimney opens up into a fireplace, you can rescue them if they don't figure it out.

 

[Frye7127]

They are probably Chimney swifts and will be able to get out just fine. Or, they are bats. They are migratory and will probably start their exit in September. They are protected, as in you should not mess with them. The only thing is if it is a true fireplace, you will need to have the nest removed. My aunt has them right now, but since she does not use the fireplace at all, the chimney sweep said they will eventually leave if she can put up with the chirping. Otherwise, he would be happy to come and remove them for $500 -

 

[BebopBaloo]

Okay, I feel better now. I didn't realize that there were birds that normally built nests in chimneys. I had heard of it happening, just didn't know there were specific ones. If they aren't Chimney Swifts, I can open the flue.. and it is possible that they are bats, as we have those around and sometimes what is in the chimney sounds like bats...but I'm pretty sure that I've heard more of a tiny tweeting. LOL, maybe we have both...we had a black snake in the house climbing the side of the fireplace last week.

I never knew how much of a city girl I was until we moved to our current place. I love wildlife, just not unexpectedly in the house.

Thanks for the advice!!