Chimney Swifts

WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT CHIMNEY SWIFTS?

1) Chimney Swifts eat nearly one third of their own weight in flying insect pests such as mosquitoes, biting flies and termites every day.

2) Chimney Swifts historically used large, hollow trees for nests and roosts. As the ancient forests were cut down, they learned to use chimneys and other structures instead.

3) Today, just like Purple Martins, Chimney Swifts rely almost entirely on man-made structures for nest sites.

4) Because they cannot perch like songbirds, Chimney Swifts must have deep shafts in which to raise their families and roost at night.

5) Chimney Swifts are protected by State Wildlife Codes and Federal law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1916.

6) Like all Neotropical Migrants, Chimney Swifts are declining in numbers and need our assistance.

7) Like watching a beautiful sunset, the aesthetic value of observing Chimney Swifts’ aerial acrobatics and interactions is a simple pleasure that nature has to offer.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP CHIMNEY SWIFTS?

1) If you have a masonry or clay flue-tile chimney, keep the top open and the damper closed from March through October to provide a nest site for these insect-eaters. Metal chimneys should be permanently capped to prevent birds and other wildlife from being trapped.

2) Have your chimney cleaned in early March before the Chimney Swifts return from their winter home in South America.

3) Work with local conservation groups to construct Chimney Swift Towers and educate your friends and neighbors about Chimney Swifts.

4) Join the North American Chimney Swift Nest Site Research Project as a Research Associate!

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