Interpret this.. (odd wildlife behavior)

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

On Sunday the 8th I was wandering back to my office via a route I don’t normally take. I heard a tapping noise, and discovered a bird trapped in one of our decorative outdoor lamps (the tall metal ones that look like old-time gas lamps). After spending about 15 mintues taking apart the lamp (while standing on tip-toes and reaching as high as I could) and getting nipped twice, the little guy was free, and I went on my way feeling pretty good about myself (until I had to call maintenance and let them know I was too short to put the lamp back together).

On Saturday the 14th I was wandering back to my office when I came across one of our directors and a coworker attempting to free a bird from our storage closet (my office is off the gym, which has one end walled off into a three-compartment storage area for all our rec equipment). The director wandered off, and the coworker and I spent about 20 minutes coaxing the bird first out of the closet (hee!), then out of the gym, then into the hallway that my office is in, then onto a fishing pole that I held. A few tense moments later, and I had him out the door. I felt pretty good about myself, and my coworker was angry that she hadn’t succeeded with the fishing pole (that’s what she’d been attempting when I stumbled across her).

Today I was sitting in my office working on some clinical notes, when I hear a frenzied chirping. Sure enough, there’s ANOTHER bird stuck in the gym. Where he came from, I have no idea- all the exterior doors are closed, and the windows don’t open. I’m the only one in the building, and have been since early this morning. Luckily this was a much smarter bird than the other two, and it only took about five minutes to get him out.

I’ve been here for over two years, and have never, ever seen a bird near my building, let alone inside it. My boss is jokingly referring to me as the bird whisperer, and coworkers are laughing at me. What on earth is going on?

(and yes, I am aware of the irony of my user name and apparent attractiveness to birds)

2

Were they all the same species of bird and what area of the country are you in? Maybe the birds had a nest nearby, like in the eaves, and were finding ways inside from there. Perhaps the one in the lamp was after some tasty bugs and then found he couldn’t get out? Maybe they are all the same bird and he’s used to you now, hence why it’s getting easier for you to coax him out?

3

They were definitely three different birds- the first one looked an awful lot like this woodpecker, but without the red on top. The size and coloration was definitely the same- I had a good look at him as he was assaulting my hand. :slight_smile: The second was a brown thrasher, and the one today was a mockingbird.

The one in the lamp had gotten in because one of the panels was loose- it bent inward without problem, enough for him to fit through (and yes, he was probably on the search for some bugs) but there was no way to get out. We just had extensive work done on our roof and the one for our administrative building, and our roofers actually commented on the complete lack of any active/old nests in either spot. We are in a well-wooded area, so it would make sense that they would prefer their native habitat to our buildings.

I’m in NW Georgia. Perhaps our birds are getting stupid?

4

You sure Tippi Hedren isn’t hanging out around your building somewhere?

5

Kudos for spending the time to set them free! Bird lovers thank you.

6

Well, it depends on the type of birds. For some species (house sparrows, starlings, pigeons to name a few) buldings and the areas around them pretty much ARE their native habitat, at least in North America.

Of the three species you mentioned mockingbirds definitely prefer human-disturbed habitats to deep woods.

7

This is time of year that the birds staying for winter start looking for places that provide a wind break and or food. The exposed griders in graden centers are full of birds now. It sound like you may have a vent cover off at the office and they’re getting in and droping down unable to leave the same way.