Word of a bird stuck on the eighth floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library has been circulating among students on campus, with multiple Reddit posts under r/SJSU’s subreddit headlining the creature.
The bird has been identified as a house sparrow, scientifically known as Passer domesticus – a small, common breed of bird native to Europe, but well-established in numerous parts of the world, according to a March 2, 2012 article from Smithsonian Magazine.
Library staff said that the sparrow has been present in the library for almost three weeks and has successfully evaded the many attempts to capture it.
Staff said that they have contacted San José State Facilities Development and Operations (FD&O), Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance and the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA to catch the bird.
Madison Wetteland, an SJSU third-year forensic science student and student lead for the circulation desk at the SJSU Library, said attempts by both FD&O and Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance have been unsuccessful.
“This guy has been tricky. FD&O came out, they had comically large nets, which was fun. They went upstairs, they also had high-vis vests on. But they went upstairs and were trying to catch it with a net and apparently this thing does not want to be caught,” Wetteland said.
“When they (FD&O) were unsuccessful, we called in the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance … they had binoculars and a net and all that and they went upstairs trying to do it and they were also unsuccessful.”
Posts under r/SJSU on Reddit have claimed that students are feeding the bird to keep it alive, with some writing that the bird was on the fourth floor a week ago but has since traveled to the eighth floor.
Additionally, the library staff said a handful of students have alleged that there are actually two birds present in the library, though it’s unconfirmed by both staff and students.
The staff said that at least one person per day talks to staff about the bird’s presence, with most showing concern for the bird’s well-being.
Laurel Eby, a web services librarian, said she has personally attempted to catch and care for the bird.
“I’ve spent so much time up there, like putting up little treats out for it, trying to lure it over and went up there, got a net from someone in FD&O. I’ve gotten so close … but it just takes off so fast,” Eby said.
To safely capture a wild bird, it is suggested to stay calm, close doors and cabinets, open a window, turn off all lights in the room, use a sheet to direct the bird and ultimately, call experts if all else fails, according to a Chirp webpage.
White bread, red millet and cracked corn can be used to bait house sparrows, according to a guide by the Purple Martin Conservation Association.
The species are also known to eat oats, wheat, sorghum, ragweed, crabgrass, buckwheat, milo, and sunflower seeds, according to a webpage by Celebrate Urban Birds.
Jeff Frank, a senior customer service coordinator for access at the MLK Library says this isn’t the first time an animal has ventured into the library.
“There have been birds before, one year we actually had this dog that kept coming into the library … my San José Public Library colleague, Andy, at the time was looking for a dog … he ended up adopting it,” Frank said.
Some students, especially those who study on the eighth floor, have reported seeing the bird up close.
Marco Francisco, an SJSU first-year kinesiology student, says he has seen and heard the bird and considers it an honorary mascot.
“The first time I saw it, we were by like the eighth floor on the window side with that nice view, you hear the chirping and you don’t really think anything of it until it’s right next to you … honestly it’s gotten to a point where it’s like a mascot,” Francisco said.
Wetteland said that the library’s main priority is freeing the bird with as little stress as possible for both students and the bird and suggested it be named “King” in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
“There’s concern for the health and safety of the students as well as the bird, so we’re trying,” Wetteland said.
