Catching a finch from a bigger cage or flight

[Fernando]

How do you catch a single bird in a big cage or flight? Which is the less disturbing method in your opinion?
Thanks!

[Fraza]

Fernando hi I use a net just an average fish net and I wait to they land and quickly hit it over them trust me it looks like you are hurting them but it actually doesn’t wjenbthey know there wings can’t open they just drop into the net and look although they are dead, my heart dropped the first time I thought I killed it but when I opens the net it flew haha

Not I can usually catch them in my first attempt

If not I catch them with my hands I just stand in the aviary and I grab with two hands then I put them in the net whilst I carry them across the garden


Good luck and remember it doesn’t hurt them

[Fraza]

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/t/fish-net-14451738.jpg

[Babs _Owner]

Fernando

I have 5 1/2 foot flights (a divider that I use to isolate one bird to one side). Then I use my net. Its much faster and less chance for injury.

They are going to hate you for it anyway (whether a net or your hand) so might as well make it quick.

[Fernando]

My flight is 105 x 50 x 175 cm, full with perches with leaves on them and other perches, grasses and so on; I can't imagine myself with a net in there. The birds would just hide in the thicket.

I'd though of a trapping cage, something I could build and add to the cage exterior (or interior as well) like a bath, and as soon as a birds enters and touches a perch the entrance would close. Birds usually are curious and with something they like - sprouted seeds - they would enter, wouldn't you think so?

Any experience with something like that?

[Fraza]

Fernando hi I did try this I had a see through glass box with seds in and when they jumped in it it nicked back and the cage door closed but the bird escaped haha however this made it easier to catch it whilst it was free in my kitchen

Maybe you could try that letting that one bird out and get a bigger net and easier to catch if not then simply use your hands it can sometimes take a second to an hr, just depends on timing have u ever caught a bird before

[Dave]

Try catching them at night, in the dark. Make sure there are no lights on. Use a flashlight, on and off so it stays dark. You can keep turning the flash on for a second, then dark again as you move toward the bird. If you don't shine the light directly at them, you'll be able to move your hand or your net to the bird and then just scoop it up.

[Babs _Owner]

Dave Fernando

Dave ! Brilliant! I had totally forgotten about that. I switch off the lights if a bird gets loose in the house at night and they just freeze. And I find them with my pen light.

[Fraza]

Dave why didn’t I think of this after all the times I’ve had to do it I feel so dumb haha

[sreeshs]

I too prefer catching them at night using the fish net. Another method which I have used is a rectangular wire mesh box. One of the end side of the rectangular box is hinged and can be closed by pulling an attached twine. Its a very simple and crude type. Remove all food sources and sprinkle some inside the box and wait. Soon they will be inside eating and you can close the door and catch many at a time. I used it about 2 times and caught nine birds. The ones which were not interested were then caught at night