That happened to me a few years ago. I called Animal Rescue, who recommended that I make sure the flue was open, and that I open the fireplace doors. They explained that birds get trapped this way because they can dive down into the chimney with wings folded, but need to extend their wings in order to fly back out. The plan was to let the bird get from the fireplace into the house, then capture the bird and release it.
I had six cats at the time. So, I made sure the flue was open, then opened the fireplace doors, and set about grabbing cats and shutting them in the bedroom, so as not to have a tragedy when the bird finally exited into the house. Suddenly, my white polydactyl cat made a mad dash from one end of the house to the other, and disappeared up the chimney with one paw extended like a fielder reaching for a fly ball.
He came down grey and empty-pawed, but his charge had apparently provided ample motivation for the bird to do some creative flying and escape up the chimney.
That chimney got capped in short order. I had no desire to return home one day to find feathers floating about the living room.
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I had six cats at the time. So, I made sure the flue was open, then opened the fireplace doors, and set about grabbing cats and shutting them in the bedroom, so as not to have a tragedy when the bird finally exited into the house. Suddenly, my white polydactyl cat made a mad dash from one end of the house to the other, and disappeared up the chimney with one paw extended like a fielder reaching for a fly ball.
He came down grey and empty-pawed, but his charge had apparently provided ample motivation for the bird to do some creative flying and escape up the chimney.
That chimney got capped in short order. I had no desire to return home one day to find feathers floating about the living room.
Good luck!