These migratory birds and their traditional nesting habitat of hollow trees in old-growth forests have been in decline since the 1980s due to logging and suburban construction.
To combat this loss swifts have moved en masse to the next best thing:
neighborhood chimneys.
Why should I care about Chimney Swifts?
• Chimney Swifts are protected by State Wildlife Codes and Federal law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1916
• they eat nearly one third of their own weight in flying insect pests such as mosquitoes, biting flies and termites everyday
• today they rely almost entirely on man-made structures for nest sites
What can I do to help?
• 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 for these insect-eaters. Metal Chimneys should be permanently capped to prevent birds and other wildlife from being trapped.
• have your chimney cleaned in early March before the Chimney Swifts return from their winter home in South America
Select an appropriate Chimney Sweep
Every Chimney needs to be professionally cleaned each year for the safety of the homeowner as well as for the safety of the Chimney Swifts. Although attitudes are changing within the chimney sweeping industry there are still companies that will remove active nests and kill or discard the young. Before hiring a chimney sweep ask what action they take when they find birds in a chimney. NEVER hire a company that openly advertises "Bird Removal".