So glad you happened upon that poor creature. I feed birds with similar feeders but have not ever seen that happen.

That was one lucky bird! Good thing that you found it and was able to free it. I am going out to check my feeders now.

That opening looks sufficiently large enough to eliminate any possibility of a small bird's head getting stuck. I suspect some of the bird's feathers were caught or snagged on a rough edge around the opening. I would do a careful feely/touchy inspection of that area/opening, Iris, to make sure that all edges are smooth with no small cracks. The feeder itself may be defective...or have become defective due to its popularity.

The edges looked fine before we assembled it again. It was wedged in there. It’s a bit wider in the middle it seems, so maybe his struggling made it worse. You would think if it can get in, it can get out. I was so afraid to break his neck.

Sounds like he had a panic attacked, Iris. House Finches are funny little birds. I have them everywhere and am constantly entertained by their antics. On a humerus note...maybe dear feathery one needs to go one a diet.

He could have gotten a feather caught between the green surround and the actual plastic tube. Anywhere that there are two parts brought together...there's always the possibility of a gap. The next time you have the feeder down for maintenance...you could run a bead of caulking along the edge where the surround meets the tube. That might help. In the mean time...girlnamedgale is right. That was one lucky bird...thanks to your quick thinking and heroic action.

Exact same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago. We have 2 feeders. Standard pole feeders. No one was home except me and the dog. Get all kinds of birds from mourning doves (who mostly feed off the ground from what get dropped from above) to smaller sparrows and that type. I was out with the dog and not really facing the feeders. But out of the side of my eye I could see a lot of commotion at one of the feeders. Normally the birds take off when I'm out with the dog because he's a hyper little Yorkie who spooks them. Anyway, I walked over to the feeder and saw a smallish sparrow or wren with it's head caught inside the feeder. One of his wings was wedged inside with his head.

I have to admit I panicked. It was super hot that morning and all I'm thinking is of that poor thing literally baking in there if I didn't do something fast. I took the feeder off the pole and brought it over to table on the patio. I could see there was no way to pull him out but it seemed that I could push him in gently. He screamed and flapped his one still moveable wing just once when I touched and then went still. I'm thinking it's now or never..managed to force him all the way into the feeder. He starts frantically flapping but intact and standing. I'm thinking that's a good sign so I scooped him gently out with my hands and put him on the ground. He took off like a rocket flying. I was never so relieved as when he did. It never occurred to me to run into my husband's workshop for a screwdriver or something to take the feeder apart. Just wanted that bird out pronto. I googled after to see if this was a common problem and did note like someone mentioned here, it's more likely to happen when the feeder is empty or low.

MrsM, I am glad it worked out well for you, too. Maybe I will just replace this one. The two other ones I have with this kind of openings are a bigger diameter, so the food doesn’t really get below a perch unless there is a snowstorm.

I've had sparrows get inside the bird feeder by somehow going underneath the plastic sides at the bottom where there is just enough space for the seed to tumble out of. They must be trying to get seed, esp. when the feeder is near empty, and lift the side with their heads. I really don't know any other way they can get inside.

We use double sheppards hooks to hang feeders. Have had to rescue birds that got their legs caught in the Y part where it goes into two hangers. DH closed the area with electricians tape so no space left to catch a leg.

I use some feeders like that, and I have never had a bird get stuck....I am so glad you were able to free him and he was unharmed.

I'm glad you brought this up as I've never had this happen. I need to "not use" that type....now I know. Thanks for the heads up. Note: I only seed feed in the winter months.

Glad that you spotted the poor thing and were able to help it. It must have been so happy to be free.

Oh, poor little guy, that must have been scary for everyone! I'm glad it ended well.

I've given up all my feeders due to predatory birds. Now the only feeding is on the ground under some trees and bushes that provide some shelter, but it means some of the birds don't come visit too often.

Good job on your quick thinking to free him!