“They’re chirping out for Mom.”
A few years back in Ontario, Canada, a tenant was enjoying a normal shower when an unusual sound echoed through the bathroom — a series of faint, high-pitched chirps. Confused, the tenant paused and listened closer. The chirping continued, and soon it became clear that some tiny creatures were trapped somewhere nearby.
Realizing that baby birds might be in trouble, the tenant called Gates Wildlife Control, a humane wildlife rescue and removal service. Wildlife technician Cassandra Gates quickly arrived to investigate and soon discovered that a family of starlings had built a nest deep inside a vent connected to the bathroom.
“We can actually hear the baby birds chirping right now in the vent,” Gates explained in a video for The Dodo. “They’re calling out for their mom.”
Over time, the vent cover had deteriorated, leaving an opening just large enough for a starling mother to move in and start raising her chicks. Since starlings are natural cavity nesters, small enclosed spaces like vents are the perfect nesting spots for them.
While Gates planned a safe removal, the devoted mother bird hovered nearby, returning to the vent repeatedly with worms for her hungry babies.
Gates gently eased the nest toward the vent’s opening and carefully lifted the babies out one at a time. The fluffy, disheveled chicks were not thrilled about the interruption, chirping loudly in protest as they were moved.
“They’re such funny-looking little babies,” Gates joked. “They look like they have permanent bed head.”
To keep the tiny family together, Gates created a makeshift nest inside a plastic jug lined with soft nesting materials. As soon as she transferred the chicks, they settled down instantly. She even cut an opening in the side of the jug so the mother bird could easily reach her babies, then secured it outside the vent where Mom could easily find them.
A few weeks later, when Gates returned to check on them, the jug was empty — the young starlings had successfully fledged and flown off to begin their new lives.
“The babies have grown up and left the nest,” Gates said. “Now they’re out exploring the world with Mom.”
Thanks to Gates’ quick thinking and compassion, a simple shower-time mystery turned into a heartwarming rescue — giving a small family of birds the perfect start to their life in the wild.