It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No. It’s a … cigar?
These small, short-tailed birds dart through the air and feed on insects nearly their entire lives. Their small, ash-colored bodies, long wings, and short tails make them appear to be “flying cigars”.
Many have seen them, but few recognize them. However, if you’ve ever had them as guests in your home, you have undoubtedly heard them. Listen here!
These are Chimney Swifts!
Volunteering as a wildlife rehabilitation extern for the Wildlife Center of Virginia has allowed me to work with so many amazing species. One of the most unique species I had the pleasure of working with was the Chimney Swift. They are challenging to rehabilitate as they are solely insectivorous and need to be stimulated to eat by blowing on them. Softly blowing on them imitates the soft breeze caused by a parent flapping its wings when returning to the nest. Additionally, they do not perch like most birds.
Commonly mistaken as swallows, Chimney Swifts are actually more closely related to hummingbirds. They belong to the taxonomic family Apodidae which means “without feet”. Their feet are very small and have sharp claws that allow them to cling to surfaces. Unlike forest-dwelling birds such as the American Robin or Blue Jay, these guys do not perch on branches. They cling to vertical surfaces such as hollow trees and, more commonly, in chimneys. Their unique perching preference presents a challenge when housing these birds in rehabilitation. At WCV, we house them in an enclosure that has cloth on all sides so that the birds can cling to the sides. Check out this video that shows how chimney swifts are fed in rehabilitation:
Historically, Chimney Swifts dwelled and nested in hollow trees, but as development of forested lands increased, the number of suitable trees decreased. The swifts adapted to the next best option — chimneys. They even construct their nests on these surfaces! Chimney Swifts have a unique strategy when it comes to nest building. The nests are made of woven twigs in a half-moon shape which are held together with the bird’s saliva. The saliva acts like a glue and keeps the nest together as well as stuck to the inside of the chimney “tree”.
So, where and when can you see these fascinating birds? Chimney Swifts are a migrating species that visit and breed in the Midwest and eastern United States during the summer. They are usually seen in large “clouds” of hundreds of individuals around dusk and dawn when they forage for insects and then return to their chimneys. They can also be seen flying over lakes and streams as insects are abundant in these places.
Around mid-to late August, these birds make their journey down to northwestern South America. Most insects are dormant during the winter in the United States, therefore chimney swifts must migrate south to find more food.
What can you do to be a good chimney swift neighbor? While their chatty nature may not be the most desirable sound around your home, the benefits of having these birds around far outweigh the drawbacks. Practicing good chimney maintenance is crucial to both your health and the swifts’. When cleaning your chimney, check for nests beforehand. If there is a nest, please consider waiting to clean until the birds are done breeding at the end of summer. These birds do typically return to the same nesting site each year. Unfortunately, many baby chimney swifts are admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia because they have been removed from their nests by people or have fallen from their nests due to disturbance.
Chimney swifts are protected under the International Migratory Bird Act, and it is unlawful to remove the birds and their nests during the breeding season.
A benefit of having chimney swifts nearby is that a group of them eats thousands of insects a day! This means fewer pesky mosquitoes, flies, etc. for you during the summer. You could also consider building a chimney swift tower. This chimney-like structure can be built in your backyard to provide a habitat for the birds. The tower also provides the birds with a place to inhabit besides your chimney. Check out this link for more information on how to build your own!
Chimney swifts are by far one of the most unique species I have encountered. I hope you learn to love these birds as much as I have! It was such a pleasure to work at the Wildlife Center of Virginia this summer and to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of so many wildlife!
—Nicole
WCV Class of 2015
If you would like more information about chimney swifts:
All About Birds: Chimney Swifts
ChimneySwifts.org
Audbon: Chimney Swifts