Chimney Swifts Sandy Schwab Chair, Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group
Chimney Swift: a declining species in the Midwest some states are experiencing an approx. 4% annual drop in numbers
Swift Facts Chimney Swifts do not perch. They use their long toes to cling to the inside walls of chimneys and other vertical surfaces. These birds fly much of the day, gathering insects in their open bills. They are almost always in flight except when they are at the nest or in the roost at night. They even bathe in flight - by flying low over a body of water, touching the water with their breast and then shaking the water through and from their feathers.
Swift Facts When nest building they gather twigs in flight, snapping them off with their feet as they pass. An average nest consists of 265 twigs held together with saliva. One nesting pair per chimney. Swifts gather in communal roosts in air shafts or large chimneys, often whirling in a huge circle as they funnel down for the night.
The nest with eggs Photo by Jack Bartholmai
Photo by Jack Bartholmai
Photo by Jack Bartholmai
Photo by Jack Bartholmai
Dozens, sometimes hundreds, of Chimney Swifts spiral in a flock, then sometimes form a funnel-shaped cloud above the large chimneys used as staging roosts, during migration. Then they begin to enter, dropping down into the chimney. Each bird enters and catches onto the rough brick interior, where it will stay until morning.
Chimney Swifts on the Breeding Bird Survey
Trends in CHSW numbers According to figures from the Breeding Bird Survey, trends over a 15 year period (three generations) for the last 20 years have, on average, indicated a 20-29% decline in the global population (J. Sauer in litt. 2010).
Possible reasons for decline Fewer uncapped chimneys ( disturbingly high rate of chimney capping with 14 percent of all available nesting chimneys being capped in a single year [http://swift.sepif.org/research]) Diminishing use of natural roosts or nest sites Declining aerial insect populations: an unknown factor Natural events (storms) during migration Decline in wintering habitat in South America
Chimney Swift: declining population in upper Midwest BBS results: Midwest region; 1970-2010
What can be done? Involve citizen scientists to identify and monitor swift-friendly chimneys Research is needed on: Available roost sites/staging sites Nesting locations and distribution
How can rehabbers help swifts? Re-nest babies if possible Keep in contact with finders Host a Swift Night Out (and invite finders) Education may help keep baby swifts out of rehab
Potential Solutions Protect access to nesting and roosting chimneys Build artificial chimney swift towers
Artificial nest chimney
Chimney Swift towers under construction
Resources Books
Organizations working to save the Chimney Swift Chimney Swift Conservation Association (formerly Driftwood Wildlife Association) (http://www.chimneyswifts.org/ )
WI Chimney Swift Working Group Our mission: To keep the chimney swift common in Wisconsin Objectives: to learn about Chimney Swift population changes, and develop conservation strategies www.wiswifts.org
Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group Formed in spring of 2012, this group now has members from more than 20 agency, NGO, nature centers, and other partners Goals & Objectives: Inform the public about Chimney Swift population declines Encourage public to keep their chimneys swift friendly Organize swift watches, swift nights out, other citizenbased monitoring activities Promote the construction and deployment of Chimney Swift nesting & roosting towers Promote education and swift conservation initiatives
Other WI CHSW Working Group activities: Identify locations of swift nesting chimneys and roosts and monitor use Interface with landlords who may have swifts but are not aware that they do Provide speakers for bird clubs, schools, Swift Nights Out
SWIFT WATCHES More than 90 Swift watches organized by WI CHSW Working Group partners in 2012 High count: >2,400 individuals at Cherokee Middle School, in Madison https://youtu.be/gthcwsxb1yi
Acknowledgements Chimney Swift photos by Jack Bartholmai Bill Mueller, Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory
If you are interested in joining our group or helping us with conservation activities designed to benefit the Chimney Swift, please talk to me afterward, or write or call: Sandy Schwab sschwab49@gmail.com 608-658-4139