Chimney Swift Rehab

REHABILITATION AND CONSERVATION
OF CHIMNEY SWIFTS
(Chaetura pelagica)
by
Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle
Driftwood Wildlife Association

P.O. Box 300369
Austin, Texas 78703
dwa@austin.rr.com
www.chimneyswifts.org
Illustrations by Georgean Z. Kyle
Photography by Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle
Fourth Edition
COPYRIGHT 2004
The text, photos and illustrations in this publication are protected by law
and may be reproduced only with the written permission of the authors.
Rehabilitation and Conservation of Chimney Swifts, Fourth Edition - Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle
Driftwood Wildlife Association, Copyright 2004
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Authors’ note:
Chimney Swifts, their nests, eggs and young are protected under the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The information contained in this publication
is intended for use by individuals who possess the appropriate state and
federal permits.
Handling, disturbing or molesting migratory birds is a violation of federal

and state laws and is punishable by fines and / or imprisonment.
To protect the precarious future of our migratory birds, any and all
violations should be reported to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service as well
as your state authorities.
Wildlife conservation is the responsibility of every rehabilitator.
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PREFACE
We were introduced to our first Chimney Swift in the spring of 1983 at the Travis
County Humane Society in Austin, Texas. Someone had found this small, sleek, black bird
on the ground. It was unable to fly. The bird had the most remarkable eyes, and, when held,
it actually held us with its small, grappling-hook feet. We were unsure of the species, but it
was certainly different than anything we had ever seen. The swift had apparently collided
with a window. After a week or so of being force-fed mealworms, it was released. Since
then, we have not been able to walk outside without looking up at the sky.
If the adult Chimney Swift was unusual, we thought the first brood of babies was
absolutely bizarre. We were handed a small box that sounded as if it had been stuffed with
mechanical wind-up toys. When it was opened, four reptilian-looking creatures exploded
into a piercing "yipping" while bobbing and swaying their long necks. We were in love.
Our first attempts to hand-rear baby swifts were mixed in their results. Older,
feathered birds survived but showed numerous developmental problems. Younger birds
simply weakened and died after a few days. We set out to develop a more suitable diet, and
with the advice and suggestions of veterinary and nutritional professionals, were successful.
Saliva transfer followed, and in 1984 our success rate with Chimney Swifts was so much
improved that we submitted the first edition of this paper to the National Wildlife
Rehabilitators Association for consideration. We were subsequently invited to present our
paper at the 1985 NWRA symposium in Boston.
Since we held that first swift more than 20 years ago we worked with more than 1400
individuals and 1100 were released back into the wild population. As our experience
increased, the 1985 publication became less and less representative of our current
techniques.
In the early 1980’s almost all diets for small avian species was based on Purina Hi
Pro dog meal or other grain-based domestic pet foods. As early as 1986, we began to
question the necessity of soaked dog meal in the substitute diet. The high fat content and
large portion of grain seemed out of place in an insectivorous diet. The swifts seemed to
agree. By the time they were fully feathered, most rejected the meal. Finally in 1987 we
decided to eliminate the Purina Hi Pro for a year and compare the results. By the end of the
season there had been no adverse effects in the development of the birds, and there was one
obvious benefit. The fat in the meal had always soiled the feathers around the swifts' mouths
and made them difficult to keep clean. This was no longer a problem. More importantly, the
average weight of the hand-reared swifts at the time of release has consistently been 10%
greater since the dog meal was eliminated. The other ingredients of the original diet remain
unchanged, but the mechanics of the feeding process have been modified somewhat. These
changes simplify the procedure and help to keep the birds even cleaner. A step-by-step
description of our current techniques is presented in the feeding section of the paper.
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This edition describes housing in more detail than the original. The housing
requirements change dramatically as Chimney Swifts grow. Keeping pace with these needs
is crucial to their psychological and physical well-being, and will greatly improve their
chances of survival after release.
As licensed bird-banders, we have always banded our swifts prior to release. (The
most dramatic developments since the 1985 publication are the results of our ongoing post-
release study.) In the winter of 1988, we constructed two artificial chimneys. The wooden
towers are 22' tall, 2' square and have viewing ports at 13' for observation of the occupants.
The two towers were constructed in the west corners of our swift flight, and were intended as
roosts for swifts released at the facility. To our delight, a pair of wild swifts nested in the
north tower that first spring. We were overwhelmed when we discovered that one of the
parents was a banded hand-reared bird from the previous year. In each subsequent year
additional hand-reared swifts have been roosting in both towers. In 1991, the fall roosting
flock of 178 birds included 16 hand-reared swifts with individuals from each of the years
since the towers were constructed. Being able to document the breeding success and post-
migratory return of hand-reared Chimney Swifts has assured us that our diet and techniques
are both appropriate and effective.
We are gratified by the responses and helpful comments we have received from so
many other rehabilitators who have used the original 1985 publication and the subsequent
editions of this paper to dramatically improve their own success with swifts. We are pleased
to present this fourth edition, and hope the information continues to improve the quality of
care for Chimney Swifts throughout their range.
Paul D. and Georgean Z. Kyle
The authors’ home, aviaries and Chimney Swift towers
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CONTENTS
Life History of the Chimney Swift….. 7 Table 1: Temporal acquisition of
Chimney Swifts………………………. 46
Hand-rearing Chimney Swifts……… 12
Table 2: Growth, Development and
Evaluating Calls for Assistance……… 12 Housing of Hand-reared
Chimney Swifts……………………… 47
Initial Care…………………………… 13
Table 3: Weights and Wing Chords of
Nestling Housing…………………….. 17 Hand-reared Chimney Swifts……...… 48
Fledgling Housing…………………… 19 Table 4: Aerobic Microbial Flora in the

Oral Cavities of Chimney Swifts…..... 49
Substitute Diet………………………. 24
Appendix A: Sources for Products
Preparation of Substitute Diet………. 26 and Supplies………………………….. 50
Hand-feeding………………………... 27 Appendix B: Progress Note…………. 51
Saliva Transfer…………………….... 29 References…………………………….. 52
Injuries……………………………… 30 Acknowledgements……………………. 54
Illness……………………………….. 32
Housing and Feeding

Recovering Adults and Juveniles…… 34
Release………………………………. 35
Chimney Swift Conservation…...….. 37
Predation of Chimney Swifts……….. 37
Maintaining Fireplace Chimneys for

Chimney Swifts…………………….. 38
Providing New Nesting and Roosting

Habitat………………………………. 40
Chimney Swifts vs. Chimney Sweeps.. 41

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LIFE HISTORY OF THE CHIMNEY SWIFT
The Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) is gray in color. Both sexes are identical in
one of four regularly occurring species of appearance (11,15). The long wings cross
swifts found in North America, and the by an inch or more over the tail feathers,
most common one found east of the Rocky which are tipped by pointed bristles.
Mountains (11,15). As their name implies,
they are accustomed to building their nests Both the claws and tail bristles are used to
in chimneys as well as abandoned buildings cling to rough vertical surfaces. Swifts are
and occasionally stone wells (5,17). unable to perch or stand upright in
Because of their close association with passerine fashion (16).
people, the adults and their young are
frequent candidates for rehabilitation (7).
Chimney Swift in flight
Adult Chimney Swifts are most commonly

seen in flight -- usually in groups. When Tail bristles are used for propping on vertical
surfaces, and are unique to Chaetura species
soaring, their long, scythe-shaped wings
span about 31.75 cm (12.5 in.) supporting a
proportionally short body with a squared-
off tail. The flickering, bat-like flight when
flapping is due to short, massive wing
bones (15). A sharp “chippering” or
“ticking” call accompanies Chimney
Swifts’ flight.
At rest, an average 122 cm (5 in.), 22.8 gm

(0.8 oz) adult is sooty-gray to black with Sharp claws and strong feet make Chimney Swifts
the throat slightly lighter or even silvery- perfectly adapted to their vertical life style
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Chimney Swifts winter in the Amazon
Basin of Peru (1). They arrive in the
southern United States in March and are
gone by early November. Nesting begins in
May, and has been known to continue into
August. Chimney Swifts are usually single-
brooded (15), but a pair will make an
additional attempt if an early brood fails.
This behavior probably accounts for most
late summer nesting activity.
The female normally lays four to five Both parents build the nest and
(rarely two to seven) white eggs in a nest of incubate the eggs
twigs that are broken from the tips of tree
branches, glued together with saliva and regurgitation from the gullet of both
attached to a vertical surface. parents. After six or seven days, the adults
no longer regurgitate, but will form a ball
of insects (or "pellet") which is stored in a
throat pouch until it is fed to the young.
The feeding continues until the birds fledge
from the chimney or nest shaft about 30
days after hatching (5,13).
The hatchlings are pink, altricial and

completely naked at birth. They have sharp
claws that enable them to cling to textured
surfaces, and they chatter softly when
stimulated. Within a few days, black
A full clutch of eggs and nest
in a wooden Chimney Swift Tower
pinfeathers begin to appear. The young are
able to climb, and they exhibit preening
behavior even before their feathers emerge.
Both sexes are involved in nest
construction. Because the nest is unlined, Young Chimney Swifts are capable of a
alternating adults must constantly incubate variety of vocalizations. By the time they
the eggs. After eighteen to nineteen days, are ten days of age, their feathers begin to
the eggs begin to hatch (5,14). Chimney unfurl. From this age until they fledge
Swifts catch flying insects on the wing. they will erupt into a raucous explosion of
They will also dive at trees and shrubs to chattering whenever adults enter the nest
harvest insects, bugs, spiders and other site. When disturbed or frightened they
arthropods from the tips of leaves and will make a loud, repetitive rasping call that
branches (5,15). During the first week of sounds much like mechanical wind-up toys.
life, baby Chimney Swifts are fed by At night one or more young birds may
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"sing". The soft rhythmic "peeping" is in
dramatic contrast to their more well known
vocalizations.
By fifteen to seventeen days of age, their

eyes will begin to open. The eyes are at
first a milky-blue in color, but they turn
brown by day twenty-one. Birds, which
have been stressed by excessive heat or
emaciation, may have their eyes open at a
much earlier age (7).
Newly hatched Chimney Swifts
are pink, altricial and completely naked
Shortly after their eyes open, most of the
flight and body feathers will be unfurled.
However, the feathers around the face and
head will stay in sheath for several days --
giving the birds a "frosty-faced"
appearance.
By the time Chimney Swifts are 21 days

old, they will begin to venture off the nest
for short periods, often roosting on the wall
directly under the nest. At this age they
will begin to "practice flap". Clinging
tightly to the nest or chimney wall, they
will rear back and flap their wings furiously Five day old Chimney Swifts
until they are panting and out of breath have pin feathers on their heads and bodies
(7,18). For the next five to seven days they
will become more active, flying up and
down the inside of the chimney. Twenty-
eight to thirty days after hatching, young
Chimney Swifts will leave the safety of the
chimney for their first flight (5,17).
Once an entire brood has fledged, they will

fly with their parents in slow, noisy parades
around the area of the nest site. Because
the adults begin to molt soon after their
arrival in North America, they are easily
distinguished from the young in flight. The After the flight feathers have unfurled,
the still unopened feathers on the head
adults will have a ragged appearance with give young swifts a “frosty-faced” appearance
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several missing flight feathers forming "helpers" are most commonly second-year
"windows" in their wings. In contrast, the birds that were raised at the same site. They
hatchling-year swifts will have sleek, full will actually take part in feeding and caring
wings. for the babies (3,13,14). Because of this
cooperative behavior, it is conceivable that
The young will return frequently to their the death of one of the parents after the eggs
home chimney during the first few days, hatch may not mean the death of the brood.
but may soon begin to visit other roosts in As young swifts approach fledging age, the
the area. By the time young swifts fledge, parents become more tolerant of visiting
they are capable of feeding themselves, birds, and a communal roost may begin to
though they may still beg occasionally if build.
they are in the roost when an adult enters.
At the end of the breeding season, territorial
behavior is completely replaced by
communal instinct, which peaks prior to fall
migration.
Chimney Swifts will congregate in flocks of

hundreds and even thousands at suitable
roost sites (13,14,17). These sites are easily
identified in the late evening as the swifts
gather and fly in a huge circular cloud around
the mouth of a chimney-like structure.
Slowly at first, a few birds will disappear
into the darkness of the roost. Then, as if by
Fledgling swifts will exercise their wings
pre-rearrangement, the entire flock will
by “practice flapping”
stream in within just a few minutes. Their
emergence at first light is sporadic and even
Chimney Swifts are normally solitary haphazard by comparison.
nesters (one nesting pair to a site). The
adults will defend the nest site from would-
be interlopers by audibly snapping their
wings together over their backs while
jumping horizontally from the wall. They
will then drop to a lower spot on the same
wall. These spirited displays are often
accompanied by loud "chippering" and
wing fluttering which can be easily heard
from outside any nest site. Despite their
defensive behavior, the nesting pair do
tolerate and often welcome a few
Chimney Swifts congregating in a communal roost
additional birds at the nest (2). These
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Although Chimney Swifts can withstand a few early cool snaps, they will usually ride south
on the first major cold front that blows through in the fall.
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HAND-REARING CHIMNEY SWIFTS
EVALUATING • The loud noises are made by baby
CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE swifts when they beg for food from
their parents.
In the regions where they breed, Chimney
Swifts may generate more calls for • Their nests are small and pose no safety
assistance than any other species of avian or health hazards when the chimney is
wildlife. Some of these will be nuisance properly maintained.
calls with the caller wanting the birds
removed from the chimney because the • Chimney Swifts eat and feed their
noise bothers them. Others may be young thousands of flying insects,
concerned that the birds are trapped and including mosquitoes, flies, midges,
cannot escape on their own. A few will just winged ants and termites.
be curious and want to know something
about swifts. In all cases, education can be • Chimney Swifts are in North America
remarkably effective. A rehabilitator who only during the warmest part of the year
is knowledgeable about the breeding and migrate back to South America by
biology and migratory habits of Chimney fall.
Swifts can usually soften the attitude of the
aggravated, reassure the concerned and
delight the curious. Best of all, a little Once callers understand that it is normal for
education can prevent intervention from swifts to be in their chimneys, that their
ever occurring, and the swifts will be presence is only seasonal, and that the loud
allowed to complete their seasonal cycle in sounds are the feeding calls of baby birds,
an undisturbed site. Following are a few most will be satisfied to let the swifts stay
basic facts that have been helpful in dealing at least through the season.
with the public:
The young make the most noise from about
• Chimney Swifts migrate to North two weeks of age until they leave for their
America from Peru and the Amazon first flight, so most callers will have two
River Basin in the spring and are weeks or less before their chimney is
protected by federal law under the relatively quiet. Making sure the damper
Migratory Bird Treaty Act. and fire doors are closed can diminish the
noise. In older fireplaces that have no
• Unlike most birds, Chimney Swifts are damper or in those in which the dampers
unable to perch or stand upright and are inoperable, a large piece of foam rubber
must have chimneys or similar can be wedged into the lower part of the
structures in which to roost and raise flue. Sealing the lower part of the flue or
their families. closing the damper can have the added
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advantage of preventing birds from falling and smoke shelf, they will climb up to their
into the fireplace or flying into the house. siblings and continue to be fed by the
The packing can be easily removed and the adults.
damper opened once the birds have left in
the fall. It is helpful to be able to tell the Nestlings are usually acquired when an
callers what date Chimney Swifts generally entire nest breaks loose and, with babies
leave that particular area. clinging tightly, falls from the chimney
wall (7). This happens if the chimney has
Some people will want to cap their not been cleaned for a season or more and a
chimneys after the swifts have left to heavy layer of soot has prevented a strong
prevent the birds from returning the bond to the wall. A heavy rain can soften
following year. Whenever possible this the water-soluble saliva in the nest also
should be discouraged because Chimney causing the nest to fall. The nest may lodge
Swift numbers have been declining since on the smoke shelf just above the damper or
the mid 1980’s due to a shortage of suitable fall all the way into the fireplace. Once a
nesting sites. However, in cases where the nest is down, the young swifts will often
homeowners may be hostile towards the leave the nest and begin to wander blindly.
birds, capping the chimney at the end of the Whenever a nest or babies are found down,
breeding season may be the best alternative. the smoke shelf, fireplace, screen and
surrounding area should be thoroughly
Most Chimney Swift acquisitions occur searched so that all the babies are
when babies, juveniles or adults fall past recovered.
the damper into the fireplace. Adults
become confused, fly around the house and Chimney Swifts nest in inaccessible places,
often collide with windows. Adult birds and this makes returning the babies to their
can be caught by hand and, if uninjured, parents an exceptional challenge. If the
replaced on the inside wall of the chimney babies are feathered they can be placed on
above the damper. Hold the bird to the wall the wall above the damper as previously
with your hand cupped over its back until it described. Make certain the damper is
has a firm grip on the vertical surface. closed so they do not fall into the fireplace
Juveniles that are completely feathered again. If they are not completely feathered
have their eyes wide open and have been or their eyes are not open, the process of
down for less than 24 hours can also be returning the young to their parents will be
returned to the chimney in the same considerably more difficult.
manner. However, their ability to cling to a
rough surface should be tested before Because the designs of fireplaces and
replacing them. This can be done by gently chimneys are so diverse, there is no single
holding the birds against the brick on the solution that will be appropriate in every
fireplace wall. If they are able to cling well instance of a fallen nest. Replacing the nest
with both feet, replacement can proceed. may require considerable innovation, and
Placed on the inside wall above the damper may not actually be possible. However,
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there are several options that should be a birds claws and cause injuries (10). A tee
explored. The most important thing to shirt works well, but any tightly woven
remember is that if the babies are not cloth is fine. The cloth will provide a
replaced in the original nest chimney – in surface to which the birds can comfortably
approximately the original position in the cling, and the darkness will keep them
chimney -- the parents will be unable to calm. Callers should be discouraged from
feed them. At the very least, the nest must attempting to give food or water to swifts.
be replaced above the damper in the lower Aspiration of fluids and inappropriate food
section of the chimney. can cause more harm than giving no care at
all.
One option is to place the nest in a shallow
wicker basket and place it on the smoke
shelf just above the damper. It must be
either weighted or wedged in such a way
that when the parents land on it to feed their
young it does not tip over. Some rescuers
have placed the nest in a basket and
lowered it into the chimney from above.
Others have had good results taping the
nest to a broom and wedging the broom in a
corner of the chimney above the damper.
In-tact nest
and babies
Some callers may have been advised to
place young Chimney Swifts outside in a Basket with nest
basket on their roof or they may have
placed juveniles on a tree in the hope that Broom stick
the parents would come and feed them.
Although this may be sound advise in the Flue Damper
case of some species of passerines, it can be
Fireplace
fatal to swifts. Any Chimney Swifts that
have been left outside for any length of
Fireplace screen
time should be taken in for rehabilitation. or glass doors
It is always important to explore every Replacing a nest using a broom stick

appropriate alternative before agreeing to in a typical masonry chimney
remove a bird from the wild and accept it
for rehabilitation. Once it has been
determined that a Chimney Swift requires
care, it should be transported in a small,
cloth-lined, covered box. Terry cloth is
inappropriate since the loops may entangle
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INITIAL CARE
Because Chimney Swifts nest during the any bird until it is completely volume
hottest part of the year, all birds presented repleted and its digestive system is fully
for rehabilitation should be considered to be functional (10).
volume depleted. Fluid therapy is essential
prior to feeding the birds any solid food Monitoring the consistency of a bird's stool
(7,10). is an effective way of determining its
condition. The following protocol will
insure that a swift's digestive system is
fully functional.
1. Until the first stool: administer 3 to 4

drops of 10:1 Gatorade to Nutri-cal mix
from a curved-tip irrigating syringe every
15 minutes.
2. After the first stool: administer 3 to 4

drops of 10:1 Gatorade to Nutri-cal mix
Giving fluids to a hatchling Chimney Swift every 15 minutes and 2 drops of Stat VME
using an irrigating syringe every 30 minutes.
In birds as small as Chimney Swifts -- 3. After the second stool: Feed 1 small
which have no true crop -- oral rehydration mealworm every hour; 3 to 4 drops of 10:1
can be just as effective (and safer) than Gatorade to Nutri-cal mix and 2 drops of
either tube feeding or injections. Three STAT VME every 30 minutes.
products for oral volume repletion have
proven to be reliable and predictable in 4. Continue step "3” throughout the first
their results: Gatorade, Nutri-cal and Stat two days of acquisition. As the stool
VME. A warmed (30º C / 85º F) mix of improves, the number of mealworms
10:1 Gatorade to Nutri-cal is an excellent should be gradually increased. The amount
initial treatment. The Gatorade provides of solid food should be diminished if the
carbohydrates and electrolytes and Nutri- quality of the stool deteriorates.
cal provides readily available calories
without overloading the digestive system. The first stool may not be a true indication
Stat VME has similar properties as the 10:1 of a bird's condition. Even if its parents
Gatorade to Nutri-cal mix, but is more have not fed a bird for an extended period,
concentrated. It should be used only after the first stool can be quite wet and normal
the bird's system has begun to respond to in appearance. In many altricial avian
the initial treatment. In no case should species, nestlings will retain moisture by
complex protein or solid food be given to not defecating until fed. A normal
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Chimney Swift stool has two major parts: behavior continues for more than 24 hours,
dark, solid material (exoskeletons and other or if the stool is not normal within that
hard, indigestible parts) and white uric acid. period, the swift may be suffering from an
As volume repletion begins to occur, the infection or injury.
accumulation of fecal material can be
observed through the skin just above the Swifts that are acquired for rehabilitation
cloaca on the underside of a bird. If several late in the evening may present a logistical
hours have passed, no stool has been problem. Any acquisition should be treated
expelled and there is a substantial with fluid therapy for at least 4 to 6 hours
accumulation of fecal material, a swift may before being allowed to sleep for the night.
need assistance. Swifts may be stimulated Late arrivals should be treated as new
to defecate by assisting them to back over acquisitions the following day beginning
the edge of the artificial nest while still with step one of fluid therapy protocol.
holding on with their claws. This
assistance may be especially helpful with Even if a swift has been under another
individuals with leg injuries. When rehabilitator's care prior to acquisition, fluid
expelled, the white portion of the stool therapy protocol should be followed until it
should be considerably smaller than the is certain that its digestive system is fully
dark portion and concentrated on the end of functional. Extreme cases may require
the stool. Any time the entire stool has a several days of fluid therapy. Switching
white coating, the bird is still volume diets or environments is stressful, and fluid
depleted and fluid therapy should continue. therapy can help ease the effects of the
stress. If the bird is in a healthy condition,
There is sufficient nutritional value in the the second stool will come quickly and a
rehydrating solutions alone to sustain a bird normal diet can be resumed in a very short
for up to 24 hours. Swifts, which are time. Housing all new acquisitions in an
volume depleted and emaciated, may be incubator or "Hospital Box" will speed
"jumpy", hyperactive or may keep their volume repletion by providing a high
eyes closed even if they are old enough to humidity atmosphere.
normally have them open. If any of this
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NESTLING HOUSING
Birds less than fourteen days old are provided by a container of water with a
nestlings incapable of effectively regulating screened top.
their body temperature. They must be
housed in an enclosure that is capable of A Hospital Box should measure at least 50
maintaining a constant temperature and x 50 x 40 cm (20 x 20 x 16 in.) tall.
humidity. A human infant incubator (Specific information on the construction
provides the very best environment. An of a Hospital Box is available in Housing
incubator has a water reservoir, a heating Avian Insectivores During Rehabilitation --
element with an adjustable thermostat and a see References.) Incubators or Hospital
nearly silent fan that gently circulates fresh, Boxes should maintain a controlled
warm, moist air throughout the chamber. temperature of 30º C (86º F) and a relative
When new, such equipment is very humidity of 50 to 60 %.
expensive and beyond the financial reach of
most rehabilitators. However, surplus units
are often available from hospitals that are
upgrading their equipment, or from used
medical supply companies (10).
An artificial Chimney Swift nest
To construct an artificial nest for nestlings

within the enclosure, fold a piece of muslin
A surplus human infant incubator
cloth, such as a laundered mealworm bag,
into a 15 cm (6 in.) square. Place this in a
A suitable alternative to an incubator is a polystyrene supermarket mushroom
"Hospital Box". A Hospital Box is a container that has been thoroughly cleaned
ventilated enclosure made of wood with a and sterilized with a mild bleach solution
glass or clear plastic front door (12). Heat or other suitable disinfectant. Pressing the
is provided from above with the top half of center of the cloth into the polystyrene
a still-air poultry incubator / brooder (10). container will produce a shallow, dish-
These have a built-in thermostat that is shaped structure that is slightly elevated
accurate within a three to five degree (3 - above the floor of the incubator. The
5º) temperature range. Humidity must be nestlings will cling to the fabric and hang
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their heads over the edge when resting or It is important to file down the edges of the
being fed. Very young or weak swifts will temporary bands with a nail file when they
defecate in the nest. A supply of clean are first acquired to remove any metal burrs
nesting cloths should be kept available on a that would injure the delicate skin on the
heating pad for quick replacement of a swifts’ legs. These bands are reusable and
soiled nest. When they are a little older must be removed prior to release. If left on
they can easily back over the edge just as the birds at the time of release, temporary
they would in a natural nest. Paper towels pet bird bands can cause injury or even
placed around the nest will aid in the amputation of the banded leg.
removal of droppings. Some individuals
will dismount the nest -- presumably by Only authorized Fish and Wildlife Service
accident -- and roam blindly around the bands placed by a licensed bander should
enclosure. This possibility and the safety of ever be left on a bird at the time of release.
such wanderers should be carefully
considered when setting up the enclosure. Swifts must cling with their claws to feel
secure. They have a tenacious grip even
Whenever possible, nest mates from the when only one day old. Special care must
same brood should be kept together be used when handling Chimney Swifts to
throughout the entire rehabilitation process. avoid injuring their feet. When they are
One brood per nest is the best arrangement. moved from one nest to another, their claws
Single birds can and should be placed with must be carefully worked free from the
others of the same age, and small broods of nesting material. This is most easily done
two or three birds can be combined. To by placing one hand in front of the bird and
keep track of individual swifts, temporary working the fingers of the other hand
pet bird bands can be used. Colored and behind the bird's feet. The swift will
numbered aluminum leg bands are usually reach forward for security when one
available in several sizes. The size used for of its feet is worked free of the cloth and
Zebra Finches (Poephila castanotis) works will grip the hand in front of it.
well for Chimney Swifts. The color can
indicate a brood, and the number will
identify an individual.
- 17 -
FLEDGLING HOUSING
In the wild, fledglings Chimney Swifts outside of the "chimney box". The outside
spend their days clinging to the inside of bottom edge of the cloth must be taped to
chimneys, hollow trees or other similar the bottom of the box so the weight of the
habitats. They do not actually leave the swifts will not dislodge the cloth.
safety of the shaft until twenty-eight to
thirty days after hatching (5,18). It is The nest should be placed in a corner so it
possible to successfully simulate these is in contact with two walls. The muslin
conditions in a rehabilitation environment will provide a textured, vertical surface for
(10). the swifts to cling to when they leave the
nest. Usually, within a few hours, they will
climb off the nest and onto the vertical
walls (just as they would in a chimney).
After a few days, when all of the swifts are
off the nest and no longer use it, the nest
should be removed. It is recommended that
the entire chimney box be kept inside a
small fiberglass-screened enclosure.
Cloth-lined chimney box
Until the swifts are completely feathered

and their eyes are open, they will be
content on the shallow artificial nest
described in the Nestling Housing section.
When their eyes are open and the body
feathers covering the back are open, but
their head is still silver or "frosty" in A screen-enclosed chimney box
appearance, their entire nest should be
placed in the bottom of a small, open-
topped box (30 cm / 12 in. cube) which has At some point, the swifts will begin to
the sides lined with muslin mealworm exercise their wings by clinging tightly to
bags. Lining the bottom first with a sheet the cloth and flapping furiously. When
of waxed paper and then with paper the swifts actually begin flying out of the
toweling facilitates cleaning. The toweling small chimney box, they will need to be
should be replaced at least twice during the moved to an aviary. Chimney Swifts
day and once again before the birds are put require the largest flight of any of the
to bed for the night. The bags are draped avian insectivores, despite their small
over the sides to cover both the inside and size.
- 18 -
Fledgling swifts require a minimum area be covered with a textured material such as
measuring 3.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 m (10 x 15 x 8 burlap or cork.
ft.) tall once they begin to fly. Even in a
flight this large they will not be able to fly An ideal swift flight would be located
at full speed. The swifts will fly with their outside with a waterproof roof and 2 x 4
tails spread wide in an aviary -- a posture stud walls. At least 2 of the inside corners
seen in the wild only when they wish to should be covered floor to ceiling with 60
slow their speed or turn sharply. cm (24 in.) wide panels of rough-textured
Intermittent access to a large area several plywood siding with the grain running
times each day is NOT ADEQUATE. horizontally. The remaining inside walls
Swifts must be allowed to fly at will if their should be covered with fiberglass window
physical and psychological development is screening. The siding and screening are
not to be impaired (7,10). easy for the swifts to cling to, and the
screen is soft enough to prevent foot
injuries and feather damage. The outside
walls should be covered with 1.25 cm (0.5
in.) or smaller mesh galvanized hardware
cloth. This mesh is small enough to
exclude rat snakes and strong enough to
keep out raccoons, raptors and other
predators. The space created by the 2 x 4s
provides added security.
Wall cross section of a flight cage An artificial chimney
A large, empty room can be converted to The flight should be completely

accommodate Chimney Swifts. Any unfurnished except for an artificial chimney
windows must be covered with a constructed of rough-textured plywood
translucent material or fiberglass window siding in the center of the flight to serve as
screening spaced away from the glass a roost and feeding station for the swifts.
panes. At least two opposite walls should The chimney should measure about 50 cm
- 19 -
(20 in.) square, and the top should be The swifts will at first be frightened and
slightly more than waist-high to the will huddle in the bottom of the box, but
rehabilitator. A false bottom installed 45 - curiosity will soon motivate them to climb
50 cm (18 - 20 in.) from the top will to the top of the chimney for a look around.
The first flight is usually a stressful event

for a young swift in captivity. It will go
from the chimney directly to one of the
screen walls and cling tightly to the fabric.
If the swifts are rounded up and returned to
the chimney at each feeding, they will soon
learn to return to it on their own. As the
birds become more proficient, they will fly
freely in and out of the chimney, fly loops
Chimney box in an artificial chimney
around the flight and play "tag" with one
another. Flying in and out of the chimney is
excellent practice for the young birds, and a
provide easy access to the birds. The skill they will need when released.
bottom of the chimney should be covered
with several layers of newsprint covered by In some cases, the swifts may choose to
paper toweling to facilitate cleaning (10). roost in a high corner of the flight at night
rather than in the artificial chimney. An
When Chimney Swifts are introduced to hour or so after the final feeding of the day,
the outside aviary, it is best to move the just as the light is beginning to fade, the
entire group -- small chimney box and all -- aviary should be searched for young birds
into a bottom corner of the artificial that may have strayed. Any bird roosting
chimney just as the nest was originally alone should be gently returned to the main
moved into the first chimney box. flock.
Fledgling swifts peeking over the edge Fledgling swifts will benefit from
of an artificial chimney a daily misting with distilled water
- 20 -
During the heat of the summer afternoon,
fledgling Chimney Swifts benefit from
being gently sprayed with distilled water
from a plant mister. One misting each
afternoon not only cools the birds, but
encourages additional preening and helps
condition feathers. Most fledglings seem to
enjoy the experience. Tap water may
contain minerals and chemicals that can
cause eye irritation, and should not be used
to mist Chimney Swifts.
Chimney Swifts are extremely social

creatures and seldom seem to exhibit any
aggressiveness. A small chimney box will
accommodate a dozen or so individuals,
and an aviary like the one described will
house as many as fifty swifts at any one
time. They will cuddle together with their
wings overlapping each other like shingles.
Keeping Chimney Swifts together in large
groups seems to eliminate much of the
stress of captivity and they will be able to Fledgling Chimney Swifts
interact with one another very much as they Cuddled together
would in the wild.
Floor plan of the authors’ flight cage
- 21 -
Side view of flight cage with nest / roost towers
(A) 1/2 in. hardware cloth on outside
(B) fiberglass window screening on inside
- 22 -
SUBSTITUE DIET
Chimney Swifts are exclusively amounts of lettuce and other salad greens
insectivores. Therefore, their substitute diet can also be fed to the colony.
must be comprised of insects. Small and
medium mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), if Small birds will have difficulty digesting
properly fed and housed, provide most of the skin of larger, tougher mealworms.
the nutritional requirements of avian Therefore, only the smaller ones should be
insectivores (9,12). used. It is inappropriate to feed cold
mealworms to any bird. A small working
Mealworms, being extremely sensitive to colony should be kept at room temperature
heat, must be kept cool and dry during during the entire nesting season for ready
shipping and transport. Even if they are use.
promptly and properly shipped, they will be
dehydrated upon arrival. As soon as they Some important minerals and essential
arrive from the supplier they must be amino acids must be added to the
separated from the newsprint in which they mealworms to make the diet complete (6).
are shipped and placed in a rigid plastic If all of the following ingredients are used,
container with an ample amount of 3:2 Chimney Swifts will not experience any
wheat bran to corn meal mix. About one nutrition-related problems. If even one
cup of mixture is adequate for 1000 ingredient is omitted or substituted, it will
mealworms. Moisture is provided by a be a different diet with possibly inferior
white potato, sliced in half and placed results (7,9).
sliced side down on top of the mix. The
colony should be left at room temperature
overnight to feed. By the next morning, the
shed skins and dead mealworms will have
been pushed to the top of the colony where
they can be easily removed. After cleaning,
the colony can be stored -- uncovered to
prevent condensation -- in a refrigerator.
This will slow the activity of the colony and
keep them small enough to feed to birds for
a longer period of time. The colony should
be taken out once each week to clean out
skins and dead mealworms and allow them
to feed at a normal rate. If any
condensation occurs, the mealworms must
immediately be sifted out and placed in a
dry mix. The potato should be replaced as
it is eaten by the mealworms. Small
- 23 -
INGREDIENTS UTENSILS
• Small and medium mealworms (not • Blunt, narrow-tipped stamp tongs or

Jumbo) forceps
• Avimin (Brand) liquid mineral • 1 salt shaker
supplement • 8 curved-tip irrigating syringes
• Avicon (Brand) powdered vitamin • 1 500 ml (pint) jar with lid
supplement • 1 120 - 240 ml (4 to 8 oz) wide-
• Superrich Yeast (Brand) or other mouthed glass jar or bowl
nutritional yeast • 1 large-mesh tea strainer or piece of
• Nutri-cal (Brand) small mesh hardware cloth
• Plain, active-culture yogurt • 1 plastic coffee can lid
• Distilled water
- 24 -
PREPARATION OF SUBSTITUTE DIET
Step One: In the pint jar, dissolve 200 mg mealworms will absorb the vitamins and
(0.5 tsp.) Avicon in 250 ml (8 oz) distilled minerals in the mix.
water and 15 ml (1 tbs.) Avimin. This mix
can be refrigerated and small amounts Step Six: At feeding time, remove the
warmed as needed. It will be used to drown mealworms from the drowning mix with
the mealworms before feeding them to the the stamp tongs (a plastic fork works well
swifts. when using larger numbers of mealworms)
and place them on the plastic coffee can lid.
Step Two: Mix equal parts of active- For naked birds, tenderize the mealworms
culture yogurt and Nutri-cal (approximately by pinching all along the body of each
1 cc or 0.25 tsp. each) into a smooth mealworm with the tongs.
consistency and place in a curved-tip
irrigating syringe. This mix should be Step Seven: Sprinkle the mealworms with a
made fresh every 2 to 3 hours to prevent small amount of Superrich Yeast.
spoilage. A larger amount of the mix may
be divided among several syringes (six for Step Eight: Squirt a small amount of the
one day) and refrigerated. Be sure to take Nutri-cal/yogurt mix on all of the
out a syringe early enough for it to warm to mealworms to be fed to the birds with their
room temperature before use. Do not eyes still closed and on at least one
attempt to warm the mixture with heat or in mealworm to be fed to each fully feathered
a microwave as the active culture in the bird.
yogurt may be killed.
Step Nine: Feed the birds with the tongs.
Step Three: Fill the salt shaker with The segments on the bodies of mealworms
nutritional yeast. overlap from front to rear. For this reason,
mealworms should always be fed "head
Step Four: Fill a curved-tip irrigating first" to make them easier for the birds to
syringe with distilled water. swallow.
Once these initial preparations have been

made, the rest of the feeding process will
go quickly and smoothly.
Step Five: Fifteen to thirty minutes prior to

feeding time, place a small amount of room
temperature drowning mix in the small
bowl. Using the strainer, sift out an
appropriate number of mealworms and
place them in the drowning mix. The
Mealworms prepared for feeding
- 25 -
HAND FEEDING
Solid food should NEVER be fed to any to that of a domestic chicken when they
bird until it has been properly volume have had enough to eat. Chimney Swifts
repleted (see Initial Care). adapt quickly to regular feedings, and
maintaining a regular schedule is important
Proper hygiene cannot be stressed enough in keeping stress levels as low as possible.
when caring for young birds. Caregivers
should always wash their hands before Older fledglings may have to be force-fed
feeding for the health of the birds, and six to eight mealworms every hour until
afterwards for their own health. All feeding they learn to accept food from the tongs.
utensils should be sterilized each day. Juveniles and adults may never learn to
take food and may have to be force-fed
Chimney Swifts' feeding responses can be until the time of release. Because swifts
triggered by tapping the basket or gently feed on the wing and are unable to perch,
brushing their faces with a facial tissue to they will never be able to self-feed in
simulate the parents' wings (15). They captivity.
respond by bobbing their heads down or
throwing their heads back, chattering loudly One or two drops of distilled water from a
and gulping at anything close. If a swift is curved-tip irrigating syringe should follow
allowed to bite the rehabilitator's finger, its each feeding. Place the drops on the bird's
mouth can be easily held open long enough bill -- NOT IN ITS THROAT. Chimney
to insert a mealworm with tongs. With a Swifts become fond of these droplets and
little practice, they will soon learn to gulp may begin biting them from the tip of the
the mealworms directly from the tongs. syringe.
Each bird should be given as many CAUTION: Because of the frantic nature
mealworms as it wishes to eat (prepared as of their feeding response, special care must
described in Substitute Diet) every thirty be taken to keep the birds' faces clean. A
minutes, twelve to thirteen hours per day swift's nostrils are very far forward. Be
until 10 days old. At this time, the birds careful not to get food in them because it
will usually begin to be less responsive on will harden and be difficult to remove. Each
the half hour. One method of gradually bird's face must be cleaned with a damp
extending the feeding schedule is to begin tissue whenever necessary and after the last
omitting one half hour feeding during the feeding of the day.
afternoon when the birds are less active.
Omit additional afternoon feedings on Weighing birds daily can be extremely
succeeding days until the birds are on an helpful in monitoring their development
hourly schedule. The hourly schedule must (see Table 2). Unlike passerines, swifts are
be continued until release. Nestling swifts relatively easy to weigh on a platform scale.
sometimes make a "clucking" sound similar As nestlings, they can be placed on a
- 26 -
mealworm bag for weighing. Fledglings complain loudly with an alarm call while
can be placed on the inside rim of a section feeding. Although swifts do interact with
of three inch diameter cardboard mailing and respond to their rehabilitator, birds,
tube stood on end. The average growth rate which have been recaptured after release,
for hand-reared Chimney Swifts should be demonstrate no affection for their former
one to two grams per day for the first three benefactors.
weeks. A weight gain of less than one-half
gram may indicate a metabolic problem
often related to a systemic infection.
However, a fluctuation in weight after a
bird reaches twenty grams is normal.
In spite of the constant contact resulting

from frequent hand-feeding, classic
imprinting does not seem to be a problem
with Chimney Swifts. In most cases, when
young swifts are first able to focus their
eyes, the image of their human caregiver Fledglings can be easily weighed on the inside
appears to "disappoint” them. They may of a mailing tube on a platform scale
Growth rates of swifts which were hand-reared by the authors are comparable with those of wild swifts.
- 27 -
SALIVA TRANSFER
When Chimney Swifts hatch, their year were successfully raised to release
digestive tracts are sterile. They obtain their (7,9).
beneficial flora and establish their immune
competence in the first few days by the Caution: Only the same species’ saliva is
transfer of saliva from the parents during effective on the young. Under no
the numerous mouth-to-mouth feedings. circumstances should saliva from another
Chimney Swifts that are acquired for species or the dried saliva from a Chimney
rehabilitation at less than seven days old Swift nest be used.
may not have fully inoculated digestive
tracts and their immune competence may be
substandard. These very young birds will
be susceptible to potentially fatal infections
from common pathogens. The stress of
being hand-reared probably contributes to
this susceptibility. While the cultures in the
yogurt provide some useful flora and aid in
digestion, there is currently no substitute
for the constituents of the adults' saliva.
If older nestlings, fledglings or recovering When Chimney Swifts hatch,

adults are available, they may be used as Their digestive tracts are sterile
saliva donors. These donors can greatly
improve the odds of successfully hand-
rearing very young Chimney Swifts.
A young swift can be inoculated by feeding

it a tong-held mealworm that has been
swabbed in the throat of an older swift. The
process is in addition to the normal feeding
schedule and should be repeated three
times each day until the bird is 10 days old.
The donor swifts may be injured but not ill
and must be receiving no medication at the
time of transfer.
During a 1985 study this procedure

reversed a previous 100% mortality rate in
swifts less than seven days old. 94% of the
youngest uninjured birds inoculated that
- 28 -
INJURIES
Chimney Swifts are subject to several To bind a fractured leg, cut a 1.25 cm (0.5
injuries simply because of the location of in.) wide strip of stretch gauze 4 to 5 cm (6
their nests and the sounds they make in the in.) long. With the injured leg held next to
chimney. The loud, chattering feeding call the bird's body in as normal a position as
and the mechanical-sounding alarm call of possible, wrap the gauze over the leg and
the young are often mistaken for a variety around the body several times. The first
of things including bats, snakes, leaky gas wrap should go in front of the good leg, and
pipes or evil spirits. Fires intended to expel the second wrap should go behind the good
the unwanted entities cause poisoning from leg. Continue alternating in this fashion
toxic fumes, singed feathers and burns. A until four wraps have been made. Cut off
veterinarian should immediately treat the the extra gauze and secure the end of the
inevitable respiratory problems with gauze with a piece of lightweight paper
oxygen therapy. Burns should be flooded tape to the wrap. Do not adhere the tape
with sterile water or isotonic saline several directly to the skin of the swift. The wrap
times daily until new tissue begins to grow. should be secure, but not constricting. Care
Eyes should be checked for corneal damage must be taken to insure the vent (cloaca) is
and kept moist with an "artificial tears" left uncovered and the uninjured leg is left
solution. free so that the swift can still grip. Ten
days is usually sufficient for a leg fracture
When a swift accidentally ends up inside a to heal. Be sure to adjust the wrap if it
house, it is often caught by the family cat or becomes too tight or too loose.
dog, or collides with windows or skylights.
If puncture wounds are suspected -- even if
not obvious -- the bird should be started on
an oral broad-spectrum antibiotic. Head
trauma should be treated with an anti-
inflammatory such as dexamethasone. In
severe cases oxygen therapy may be
indicated. A veterinarian should always be
consulted before administering any
medication.
Using a stretch-gauze binding often works well
If a leg is fractured, it must be immobilized. in treating leg fractures in nestlings
Because swifts' legs are so short, splinting
is nearly impossible. A method that has One-legged Chimney Swifts will be at a
worked quite well is using stretch gauze to disadvantage, but they have been observed
gently bind the injured leg to the body. The feeding young in the wild (4). However,
stretch gauze works particularly well with swifts without the use of either foot will
growing babies because it expands as they not be able to survive in the wild and
grow. should be euthanized.
- 29 -
Sometimes a swift will become trapped in a discouraged, the prognosis is usually poor.
metal flue or other smooth confined area in Chimney Swifts molt their feathers once each
which it is unable to fly or climb out. In year. The molt begins in the spring and
these cases, a bird will scramble hopelessly continues into the fall. In most cases swifts
against the side of the enclosure, wearing with damaged or deformed feathers will not
down its claws until they can no longer self-molt. Broken or poorly developed flight
cling to any surface. If not too worn, the feathers of a swift in rehabilitation should not
tips of the claws can be carefully re-shaped be plucked because of the danger of damage
with an emery board. to the follicle.
A swift with a broken wing is usually a Over-wintering is discouraged. The muscle

case for euthanasia. Unlike non-migratory, tone and condition of feathers in Chimney
brush-hopping species such as wrens, jays, Swifts is highly dependent on flight.
mockingbirds and the like, swifts must be Chimney Swifts may survive a winter in
able to fly fast, far and flawlessly to survive captivity, but the chances that they will be
in the wild. Although attempts to able to fly and survive in the wild after so
rehabilitate wing fractures are not long are negligible.
- 30 -
ILLNESS
A number of complications are possible in • Abnormal stool: foul odor, gas bubbles,
spite of proper housing and nutrition. Most grainy texture of solid material, dark
are a result of naturally occurring pathogens green or black in color, stringy in
(see Table 4). Whether bacterial, viral or consistency
fungal, these opportunistic organisms can
easily infect a bird weakened by stress. Any of these symptoms may indicate a
Several conditions have recurred frequently bacterial infection. The only way to know
enough in hand-reared Chimney Swifts that for certain how to effectively treat the
certain symptoms can now reliably suggest condition is to have your veterinarian or a
impending illness. Once these warning microbiology lab perform a culture and
signs are observed, prompt action is sensitivity test. During any season, the
essential since infections can quickly cause common pathogens may change -- as may
morbidity or mortality: the organisms' sensitivity to any particular
antibiotic.
• Failure to respond with the feeding call
within 24 hours The culture will identify the organism(s)
responsible, and the sensitivity test will
• Skin or mouth is dark red or white indicate which antibiotics will best treat the
rather than pink infection. A throat culture taken with a
sterile mini-tipped culturette in transport
• Difficulty in swallowing or excessive medium is usually sufficient for a
mucus in mouth and throat diagnosis. Your veterinarian will have
access to these, and it is wise to keep
• Regurgitation of food several on hand at all times.
• Swelling, air or fluid pockets on any Cultures generally take a minimum of 24

part of the body, but especially the face hours to grow and be interpreted, so it is
or head essential to collect the sample and get it to
the lab as soon as a problem is suspected.
• Loss of voice: mouth moves normally In that amount of time an infection can
but bird is mute cause considerable morbidity. Your
veterinarian should be able to recommend a
• Poor equilibrium suitable broad-spectrum antibiotic to be
used in the interim. Oral dosages are
• "Jumpiness" or hyperactivity after preferable. When the proper antibiotic is
extended fluid therapy administered, the effect is often immediate.
- 31 -
A bird's condition may be noticeably gape. Birds that are fed the Substitute Diet
improved in as little time as 1 hour after described on page 24 normally recover
receiving the medication. from the condition within 24 hours. Failure
to provide an appropriate diet will allow the
Another common illness is yeast infection condition to continue — resulting in
of the digestive tract. This is usually improper development, bacterial and / or
indicated by a mustard-colored stool and yeast infections, and ultimately in the death
steady weight loss in spite of good appetite of the affected birds.
or sufficient force-feeding. Yeast
infections are most commonly seen in Some drugs are inappropriate for avian
juveniles and adults. A veterinarian should species. Misuse of antibiotics can produce
be able to confirm a yeast infection by resistant strains of bacteria and result in
microscopic examination of a fresh fecal other complications. In most cases, oral
sample. Although yeast infections that are administration of drugs is preferable to
left untreated are usually fatal, they can be injections. Some medications may also be
successfully treated with an oral suspension administered with a nebulizing chamber. In
of Nystatin (Brand). such treatments the chamber's temperature
should be maintained at a constant
Swifts that are fed an inappropriate diet or temperature of 30ºC (86º F). Under no
have not received the beneficial culture (L. circumstances should any medication be
acidophilus) to aid in their digestion will administered without first consulting a
often develop a white mucus-like material veterinarian -- preferably a specialist in
in the throat. This material may also form a avian medicine.
hardened layer around the edges of the
- 32 -
HOUSING AND FEEDING
RECOVING ADULTS AND JUVENILES
Until they are able to fly, recovering swifts Once older swifts have undergone fluid
that are acquired as juveniles or adults can therapy and are stable, they must be force-
be housed in a chimney box as described in fed six to eight prepared mealworms every
the Fledgling Housing section. However, hour, 12 to 13 hours each day until
the box will need to be covered with a piece released. Refer to the Hand Feeding
of fiberglass window screening or they will section for more specific information.
escape. A crumpled mealworm bag placed
in one corner may make the interior more Experience has demonstrated that it is
comfortable for a badly injured or seriously possible to keep Chimney Swifts alive over
ill swift that is incapable of clinging to the the winter with the diet and techniques
sides of the box. When a bird is unable to described in this paper (7). However, any
cling, care must be taken to keep its vent swift that is incapable of flight at the time
clean and open. Birds will often be calmer of migration will probably never be
if they are unable to see out of the box. A releasable. The flight feathers will not be
piece of light-colored cloth placed over the molted until the following summer, and
screen top may help to calm a restless bird. maintaining a flightless swift in good
Small aquariums used to house reptiles condition is extremely difficult. After
have screened covers. Simply cover the numerous disappointing attempts, it is the
glass with cloth to provide a surface where recommendation of the authors that
the recovering swifts can cling. Housing Chimney Swifts should not be kept over the
recovering swifts in a Hospital Box is winter.
always helpful.
Adult Chimney Swifts must be force-fed until released
- 33 -
RELEASE
Release of Chimney Swifts should be from a high point such as a roof top
in an area where other swifts have been observed flying and feeding
Chimney Swifts in the wild leave the safety (1 in.) when the bird is at rest. Release
of the roost about four weeks after hatching weight for hand-reared Chimney Swifts
(5,17). Hand-reared birds will not have the should be approximately 20 gm (0.8 oz),
advantage of watchful parents when and the wing chord (measured from the
released, so a little additional practice in the epaulet to the tip of the longest primary)
aviary can help to compensate for this should be approximately 130 mm (5 in.) --
disadvantage. The extra time will improve see Table 3.
their stamina and skill.
In order to survive in the wild, Chimney
After a week of practice flying (when the Swifts must be perfect fliers. They should
birds are approximately five weeks old) be able to fly tirelessly in the aviary,
release should be considered. The primary negotiate the artificial chimney with ease
flight feathers should be completely mature and be restless and difficult to catch to be
and no longer "in blood". That is to say ready for release. A swift that is reluctant
that when the outer-most primaries are to fly probably has some physical disability
examined on the ventral or underneath or is too young to release. It is important to
surface, the base of the feather shafts where evaluate each individual separately, and not
they exit the follicles should have no the group as a whole.
remaining trace of the translucent sheath
which encases growing feathers. The tips Chimney Swifts are migratory and very
of the wings should cross by at least 2.5 cm communal. They should be released two to
- 34 -
three hours before sunset after the heat of clinging to the underside of the cover.
the day has passed. They should be Some individuals will leave immediately
released in groups whenever possible at a while others may hesitate. The birds should
site where other swifts are feeding. They be allowed to leave at their own paces.
can be transported in a small chimney box
with a porous covered top. Newly released Chimney Swifts will flap
wildly the first few moments after leaving
It is best to release them from a high point the chimney box. Very quickly, however,
such as a rooftop. The chimney box should they will begin to glide and soar between
be set down at the release site and the spurts of flapping. After only several
swifts allowed to settle down from the minutes they will execute the rapid, jerky
transport. After a few minutes, when other changes in direction that are typical of their
swifts are overhead, the cover should be natural feeding behavior. A release will
gently removed from the chimney box and usually attract wild swifts that will readily
the birds allowed to leave. Care must be accept the newcomers into their group.
taken not to injure birds that may be
- 35 -
CONSERVATION OF CHIMNEY SWIFTS
PREDATION OF CHIMNEY SWIFTS Their tear-drop-shaped white eggs may be
found attached to the feathers on the nape
Chimney Swifts are most vulnerable in and back of the head where the swifts are
their nesting and rooting sites where they unable to preen. Another louse, Eureum
are subject to predation from insects, ewingi, is larger but said to be rare (N.
reptiles, mammals and other species of Wilson, personal communication 1995).
birds. Examples of each have been Feather lice, unlike the Bed Bugs, do not
observed in the Observation Towers at the appear to be particularly detrimental to
authors' home. Chimney Swifts. Feather mites may also be
occasionally found on Chimney Swifts, but
Chimney Swifts are hosts to at least 3 not in the numbers commonly seen in
species-specific ectoparasites, one of which cavity nesting species of passerines.
may be considered predatory. Chimney
Swift Bugs (Cimexopsis nyctalis) are Texas Rat Snakes (Elaphe obsleta
known to reside in cracks and crevices of lindheimeri) will enter nest sites and devour
some natural nesting and roosting sites. young swifts and possibly roosting adults.
These tiny bugs are round-bodied, Raccoons (Procyon lotor) will also enter
measuring 2 to 5 mm in length and produce unprotected chimneys. Eastern Screech
an unpleasant odor when crushed (12). Owls (Otus kennicottii) have been observed
They intermittently venture from their perching on the edge of a communal roost
hiding places to bite and feed on the blood at dusk where they plunged into the roost
of their hosts. Major infestations are and plucked a swift from the wall.
probably rare in chimneys where winter
fires can destroy the pests. In other Although most of the activities of humans
structures that are used by Chimney Swifts, (Homo sapiens) that contribute to the death
major infestations can be responsible for of Chimney Swifts cannot be technically
the death of hatchlings and dispersal of considered predation, our species is
roosting flocks. Chimney Swift Bugs do probably responsible for greater
not typically remain on the swifts for depredation than all their natural predators
extended periods. combined. Through acts of ignorance,
intolerance or (in the case of commercial
Chimney Swift Feather Lice (Dennyus chimney cleaning companies) financial
dubius) remain on the swifts throughout gain, countless eggs, nestlings, juveniles
their life cycle. These longish creatures can and adults are smoked, burned, scraped or
often be seen on hand-held swifts shuffling excluded from suitable nest and roost sites
sideways through the feathers on the nape. each year.
- 36 -
MAINTAINING FIREPLACE CHIMNEYS
FOR CHIMNEY SWIFTS
The adaptation by Chimney Swifts to make For a chimney to be suitable for swifts the
use of man-made structures is a result of inside must be made of stone, firebrick or
deforestation and the loss of large hollow masonry flue tiles with mortared joints.
trees as natural roosting and nesting sites These materials provide enough texture for
(15,17). This ability to adapt has not only the birds to cling to the walls. Metal
allowed Chimney Swifts to survive as a chimneys are unsuitable and should always
species, but it has caused their range to be capped. Any animal that enters a metal
greatly expand. As recently as the 1940's, flue will fall to the bottom and be unable to
Chimney Swifts were rarely sighted west of climb the slippery walls.
the Mississippi River. They are currently
common from the east coast to the foot of Proper maintenance is crucial for any
the Rocky Mountains (15,16). chimney whether it is to be used by
Chimney Swifts or for winter fires. Wood
While Chimney Swifts would seem to be an fires produce a flammable creosote residue
exception to the generally declining that coats the inside of a chimney. If left
populations of Neotropical migrants, the unattended, this material will continue to
pendulum may be swinging back against build up until the entire layer may ignite.
them. Chimney Swifts commonly roost The resulting chimney fire will spew
together in large numbers in a single shaft, burning cinders out of the top of the
but each breeding pair must have a site of chimney onto the roof and surrounding
their own to raise their young (2,4). With structures and trees. In extreme cases, the
the advent of metal chimneys and an intensity of a chimney fire can cause the
increasing desire of homeowners to cap chimney to burst open spreading fire into
their masonry chimneys, suitable nesting the house. In most cases an annual
sites are declining. cleaning by a professional will keep the
chimney walls clean and safe.
Providing nesting sites for Chimney Swifts
is not as easy as putting up a prefabricated Chimney Swifts build their nests by
Purple Martin (Progne subis) house or attaching small twigs to the chimney wall
hanging out a nest box for Carolina Wrens with their glue-like saliva (17). They
(Thryothorus ludovicianus), but it may be continue to build until the nest is the shape
as simple as properly maintaining an of a shallow half-cup protruding two to
existing fireplace chimney. Since Chimney three inches from the wall. A creosote
Swifts are in North America only during layer will prevent the nest from being
the warmest part of the year, there is properly secured, and it may break loose
seldom a conflict over time-sharing rights and fall as the babies grow and become
of a chimney. more active. A poorly secured nest may
- 37 -
also be more vulnerable to the dissolving also prevent a nest that does break loose
effects of summer showers. For these from falling into the fireplace where the
reasons, a clean chimney is important to the adults will be unable to care for the young.
swifts as well as the homeowner. The damper will also lessen the transfer of
sound. This will make the chimney quieter
The best time to clean a chimney is in mid for the birds and the adjoining room quieter
March when the wood fire season is over for the homeowner.
and just before the Chimney Swifts return
from their wintering grounds in the In older homes some fireplaces may not
Amazon Basin. When the chimney is have dampers, or they may be rusted in
cleaned, the damper should be inspected as place. In these cases a large piece of foam
well. During the nesting season the damper rubber can be wedged up from the fireplace
should be closed. This will prevent birds to serve the same purpose as a damper
from flying into the house and becoming while the swifts are in residence.
trapped or injured. A closed damper will
Most Chimney Swift nests fall as a result of the chimney not being properly maintained
- 38 -
PROVIDING NEW NESTING AND ROOSTING
HABITAT FOR CHIMNEY SWIFTS
It is possible to construct habitat inches is adequate for the birds, but

specifically for Chimney Swifts. The most eighteen to twenty four inches will allow
elaborate project of this kind was designed human access for cleaning and other
and built by Althea Sherman in Iowa in maintenance. Larger towers are more
1915. This Chimney Swift Tower was nine attractive to swifts as communal roosts.
feet square and twenty-eight feet tall. In
the center was a two-foot square chimney The inside walls of the tower must be rough
that ran to a depth of fourteen feet. The enough in texture for the swifts to cling
artificial chimney was made of rough-sawn easily. An excellent product is 5/8" thick
lumber, and was equipped with viewing textured one-eleven (T1-11) (10). It is a
ports and auger holes for observing and rough-textured plywood with 1/2" grooves
recording the home life of the Chimney spaced every four inches. Available from
Swifts (13,18). most lumberyards in 4' x 8' sheets, it can be
cut into convenient panels. Facing the
Considerably less ambitious attempts have textured side in and running the grooves
produced artificial chimneys that have been horizontally creates footholds for the birds.
readily accepted by Chimney Swifts. In The swifts are able to hold onto the entire
central Texas several towers have been surface of this material, but they seem to
erected in recent years. These more modest prefer lining up side by side on the grooves.
structures have on every occasion attracted
nesting pairs of swifts the first year they Nailing the T1-11 to a 2" x 2" or 2" x 4"
were in place. Several have even been used frame with galvanized ring-shank nails
as colonial roosts and have consistently makes a simple but sturdy wall. Because of
attracted flocks of more than one hundred the overall weight of the structure, the
individuals in the late summer and early fall easiest method for constructing a tower is
(8). Although the shear size still makes the to build and erect each wall separately.
construction of a Chimney Swift tower a Once all four walls are up, the outside can
major undertaking, modern building be covered with siding of any kind. The
materials place the project within the resulting airspace should be filled with
capabilities of most "do-it-yourselfers". insulation between the inside and outside
walls to keep the inside temperature of the
Chimney Swifts prefer a shaft that is twelve tower cooler on hot summer days. An
to twenty feet deep and closed at the access door at the bottom of one of the
bottom. They will generally build their nest walls is desirable for annual cleanings.
several feet from the bottom to protect their Corner trim and flashing on the top edge
young from direct sunlight and rain will make the tower more durable. The
showers. An internal diameter of sixteen outside should be sealed against the
- 39 -
elements with stain or paint. The inside into an architectural focal point in a garden
should be left unfinished to preserve the or landscape setting.
rough texture on the walls and to avoid any
toxic fumes from sealant. To prevent predators from becoming a
problem, a 36" wide piece of metal flashing
Stabilizing such a tall, narrow structure is should be wrapped around the top of the
important. The easiest method is to attach tower. The top of the tower should not be
it to the side of an existing structure. The within jumping distance of trees and other
north or east sides of a building are structures. Concrete structures can be
preferable to keep the tower cooler in the sealed on the outside with a coat of smooth
summer. The top of the tower should portland cement to make them too slick for
extend four to six feet above the roof of any any predator to climb.
adjacent structure to make it obvious and
accessible to Chimney Swifts but not to To protect the inside of the tower and to
predators such as cats, raccoons and exclude unwanted guests, a cover may be
opossums. A freestanding wooden tower placed over the top once the swifts have
should be in a small clearing and must be migrated south for the winter. Several
set on a concrete slab. weeks prior to the time of their expected
return the cover should be removed and the
Another material that is suitable is concrete bottom cleaned out. Any old nests should
cinder block. The blocks are of excellent be removed because they will usually be
texture for the swifts to be able to grip. too weak to support a second brood. It will
They can be mortared together on a only take about a week for a mated pair to
reinforced concrete slab foundation into a construct a new nest, and nest-building is
shorter, freestanding tower. The inside an important aspect of pair bonding.
diameter of a shorter tower can be greater
than 16 inches, but the top opening must be
reduced to no more than 16 inches. The
opening must be situated on the north edge
of the tower to prevent the mid-day sun
from over-heating the inside bottom of the
tower where the nest is likely to be
constructed. The inside walls must be
aggressively scrubbed with a wire brush
and rinsed with a strong spray of water to
remove the concrete dust and loose
particles which could prevent a good bond
of the nest saliva to the wall. The walls
should then be coated with a latex (water-
based) masonry sealer. The advantage of a
cinder block tower is its permanence. With
a little artistic imagination, it can be made
- 40 -
Top piece with reduced
opening on north side
Sun Collar
Metal Flashing for predator guard
Trim Boards
Exterior sheathing
Rigid insulation board
1” x 4” spacers
5/8” Textured 1-11 plywood siding

with grooves facing inside and
running horizontally
Bottom with ventilation holes Angle steel legs
Steel-reinforced concrete
foundation
Ground level
A Typical Wooden Chimney Swift Tower
- 41 -
WOODEN CHIMNEY SWIFT TOWER DESIGNS
An 8’ tall Free-stranding Tower A Kiosk Tower A 12’ tall Free-stranding Tower
The saliva of Chimney Swifts has evolved to adhere to the inside of hollow trees.
Therefore, wooden towers are ideally suited for Chimney Swifts as nesting sites. An
excellent, readily available material for the inside of wooden towers is a product known as
Textured 1-11 (T1-11). This material is used in construction as an exterior sheathing for
homes and commercial buildings. It is available in 4’ x 8’ sheets at most home
improvement centers, and may be easily cut into panels. When installed with the deep
grooves running horizontally, it provides foot-holds that are attractive to Chimney Swifts.
Towers that measure 14” to 16” inside and stand 8’ to 12’ tall will provide ideal habitat for
nesting Chimney Swifts. Larger towers measuring 18” or more in inside diameter and
standing 16’ or more in height may appeal to swifts as a roosting site. Towers of this sort
have consistently hosted roosts of more than 100 swifts in Central Texas.
Surrounding a tower with a Kiosk provides additional protection to the nesting chamber
from excessive heat. This design also provides a place to post educational information
about Chimney Swifts and the surrounding habitat. The Kiosk design works well in areas
of public access, and can be a focal point in neighborhood parks.
- 42 -
MASONRY CHIMNEY SWIFT TOWER DESIGNS
12’ x 32”’ Cinder block tower 10’ x 12” Cinder block towers
Concrete cinder block can be used to construct very durable Chimney Swift towers. The
texture of the blocks is very easy for the swift to grasp, and is consequently attractive to the
birds. However, the surface of untreated cinder block is somewhat unstable and “crumbly”.
If the blocks are left untreated, the saliva that is used in nest construction may not adhere
permanently to the surface — resulting in nests pealing loose from the wall.
This problem can be resolved by allowing the mortar to ooze into the interior of masonry
towers — providing small ledges where the swifts can attach their nests. Sealing the inside
of the tower with a latex (water-based) masonry sealer also helps, but the process will need
to be repeated every two years.
- 43 -
CHIMNEY SWIFTS VS. CHIMNEY SWEEPS
Each summer countless fireplace chimneys • Reschedule any cleaning for a later
are scraped clean of active Chimney Swift date: at least 6 weeks for chimneys with
nests by commercial chimney cleaning eggs, and at least 4 weeks for chimneys
companies. The eggs and young are with young. Late fall after the swifts
commonly killed or simply discarded in the have migrated south for the winter is
process. This activity is as unnecessary as preferable.
it is illegal.
• At the time of the actual cleaning,
Sweeps and swifts are most commonly schedule another cleaning for the
brought together by concerned homeowners following spring before the swifts
who are troubled by strange noises return.
emanating from their fireplaces. However,
when the home life of Chimney Swifts is The conservation of Chimney Swifts need
understood, most homeowners welcome not interfere with the business of
alternatives to destroying or disturbing professional chimney sweeping. In fact,
families of nesting swifts. When chimney those companies which respect wildlife
professionals discover Chimney Swifts, laws and practice humane alternatives to
their eggs or their young when on a service bird removal will be more likely to appeal
call they can take the following steps to aid to a wider range of clients in an atmosphere
their clients without displacing the birds or of increasing environmental awareness.
violating state and federal laws:
• Provide the homeowner with some

basic information about swifts. (See
Evaluating Calls For Assistance)
• Close the damper or otherwise seal the

bottom of the flue leaving the top open
for the birds.
• Pack the area below the damper and the

fireplace with insulation to dampen the
sound made by the birds.
- 44 -
TABLE 1
TEMPORAL ACQUISITION OF CHIMNEY SWIFTS

1983 - 1998
The number of individuals in each period is indicated
May June July August

Year 19-31 1-10 11-20 21-30 1-10 11-20 21-31 1-9 10-19 20-30
1983 1 0 6 0 3 0 0 3 0 1
1984 3 1 7 21 7 19 10 5 4 5
1985 3 14 26 28 18 21 23 14 3 1
1986 10 16 34 41 41 30 16 8 1 2
1987 7 12 35 2 0 32 14 2 0 0
1988 5 3 19 12 14 11 5 11 1 0
1989 3 3 21 17 10 12 2 5 2 2
1990 1 11 9 17 3 17 14 10 0 2
1991 2 19 14 6 8 5 5 5 3 2
1992 3 22 25 29 8 15 8 4 1 0
1993 3 1 0 22 20 8 5 7 6 0
1994 0 0 36 36 14 14 8 1 2 1
1995 0 1 3 29 18 15 13 4 0 0
1996 0 11 2 20 17 18 6 2 2 0
1997 0 3 11 30 23 4 9 7 3 1
1998 0 3 28 11 2 5 12 1 0 0
Totals 41 120 276 321 206 226 150 89 28 17
Avg / period 2.5 7.5 17.3 20.0 12.9 14.1 9.4 5.6 1.7 1.0
- 45 -
TABLE 2
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING

OF HAND-REARED CHIMNEY SWIFTS
Body Weight (grams)

Age
in Development Housing
Days Average Low High
1 1.8 1.7 1.9 pink, blind and naked…………artificial nest

2 3.0 3.0 3.0 in an
3 3.6 3.6 3.6 incubator
4 4.5 4.5 4.5 pin feathers begin to appear “
5 5.5 5.3 6.0 exhibiting preening behavior “
6 6.7 5.9 7.2 “
7 8.1 7.5 8.4 “
8 9.5 9.3 10.3 “
9 10.9 8.3 12.2 “
10 12.7 11.4 14.7 feathers begin to unfurl “
11 14.5 13.1 15.5 “
12 16.3 13.2 18.7 “
13 17.7 16.0 20.4 “
14 19.5 16.6 21.0 eyes begin to open…………... move
15 20.5 17.5 22.1 artificial nest
16 21.0 19.0 22.9 into a
17 21.5 19.9 23.5 chimney box
18 22.0 20.0 23.6
19 22.1 19.0 23.6
20 22.3 19.1 24.4 eyes have turned brown
21 22.3 21.0 24.3 fully feathered and birds are
22 22.2 20.8 24.7 “practice flapping”……………. move
23 22.3 20.3 25.1 chimney box
24 22.9 21.8 24.0 into a
flight cage
N = 12 individual from 5 broods
- 46 -
TABLE 3
WEIGHTS AND WING CORDS

OF HAND-REARED CHIMNEY SWIFTS
AT THE TIME OF RELEASE
1983 - 1995
Wing Cord Weight
Millimeters Number Grams Number
118 1 17.0 4
119 0 17.5 7
120 1 18.0 1
121 0 18.5 36
122 5 19.0 87
123 6 19.5 83
124 6 20.0 94
125 22 20.5 68
126 14 21.0 61
127 40 21.5 44
128 54 22.0 30
129 41 22.5 17
130 69 23.0 1
131 65 23.5 2
132 62 24.0 1
133 46
134 39
135 39
136 29
137 15
138 6
139 1
140 2
- 47 -
TABLE 4
AEROBIC MICROBIAL FLORA

IN THE ORAL CAVITIES OF CHIMNEY SWIFTS (9)
Percentage of Birds Tested
(N = 61)
Normally Beneficial Flora
Gram-positive
Alpha Streptococcus spp. 34.4
Staphylococcus spp. (coagulase -) 59.0
Corynebacterium spp. 44.3
Diptheroids 6.6
Potentially Pathogenic Flora
Gram-positive
Gamma Streptococcus spp. 2.8
Staphylococcus spp. (coagulase +) 8.2
Gram-negative
Klebsiella spp. 34.4
Proteus vulgaris 6.6
Pseudomonas spp. 1.6
Esherichia coli 13.1
Enterobacter agglomerans 32.8
Serratia liquefaciens 4.9
- 48 -
APPENDIX A
SOURCES FOR PRODUCTS AND SUPPLIES
Avi-Con: Lloyd, Inc., P.O. Box 130 Mealworms: Rainbow Mealworms, 126 E.
Shenandoah, Iowa 51601 Spruce Street, Compton, California
1-800-871-0004 90224, (213) 635-1494. Do not use
www.lloydinc.com jumbo or mealworms from bait shops
or your veterinarian because they contain steroids.
Avimin: Lambert-Kay (Division of Church Nutri-cal: Evesco Pharmaceuticals, Buena,

and Dwight Co., Inc.), Cranbury, New New Jersey 08310 or your veterinarian.
Jersey 08512 and pet stores.
www.lambertkay.com Superrich Yeast: Twin Laboratories, IN.
150 Motor Parkway, Suite 210
Bird bands (temporary): Bird Bands Hauppauge, NY 11788
International, 10441 Barbara Ann, (613) 467-3140
Cypress, California, 90630.
(714) 826-5248 Stamp tongs: These are available from
stamp collectors’ shops and are superior
Mushroom containers: Grocery stores, to forceps for hand-feeding birds. They
restaurants. generally have a weaker spring action,
and cause less hand fatigue. They are
Brooders, hygrometers, incubators and available in a variety of shapes and
thermometers: Farm and ranch supply sizes. Those with narrow but blunt tips
companies, feed stores, or hardware work best.
stores. Surplus human infant incubators
are occasionally available from medical STAT VME: PRN Pharmacal, Inc., 5830
centers or veterinary clinics that are in McAllister, Pensacola, Florida 32504
the process of upgrading their (850) 476-9462
equipment. Some institutions may be or your veterinarian.
willing to donate used equipment if they
know it is to be used for wildlife Syringes (curved irrigating), Monoject
rehabilitation purposes. #412: available at pharmacies and
dental supply companies.
Gatorade: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.,
Chicago, Illinois 60654 and grocery
stores.
- 49 -
APPENDIX B
PROGRESS NOTE
- 50 -
REFERENCES
1. Coffey, Ben B. Jr. 1944. Winter home of Chimney Swifts discovered in northeastern
Peru. The Migrant. 15(3): 37-38
2. Dexter, Ralph W. More concerning the thundering and clapping sounds of the Chimney
Swift. Auk, 63(3): 439-440.
3. ______ 1952. Extra parental cooperation in the nesting of Chimney Swifts. Wilson
Bulletin, 64(3): 133-139.
4. ______1967. Nesting behavior of a crippled Chimney Swift. Bird Banding 38(2): 147-
149.
5. Fischer, Richard B. 1958. The Breeding Biology of the Chimney Swift Chaetura
pelagica (Linnaeus). New York State Museum and Science Service Bulletin 368.
University of the State of New York, Albany, NY.
6. Kyle, Georgean Z. 1985. An Introduction to the Role of Vitamin, Mineral and Amino
acid Supplements in the Avian Diet. Driftwood Wildlife Association, Driftwood, TX.
7. Kyle, Paul D. and Georgean Z. 1986. Hand-rearing Chimney Swifts (Chaetura

pelagica). pp. 103 -113 in Wildlife Rehabilitation, Vol. 5 (P. Beaver and D. Mackey,
editors). Daniel Mackey, Coconut Creek, FL.
8. ________and_______ 1989. Chimney Swifts pp. 20-21 in Annual Report (D. Connell,
editor). Driftwood Wildlife Association, Driftwood, TX.
9. _______and_______ 1990. An evaluation of the role of microbial flora in the saliva

transfer technique of hand-rearing Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) pp. 65-72 in
Wildlife Rehabilitation, Vol. 8 (D. Ludwig, editor). Burgess Printing Company, Edina,
MN.
10. _______and_______ 1990. Housing Avian Insectivores During Rehabilitation (second

edition). Driftwood Wildlife Association, Driftwood, TX.
11. Peterson, Roger T. 1960. A Field Guide to the Birds of Texas. Houghton Mifflin,
Boston, MA.
- 51 -
12. Petrak, Margaret L. 1982. Diseases of Cage and Aviary Birds (second edition). Lea
and Febiger, Philadelphia, PA.
13. Sherman, Althea R. 1952. Birds of an Iowa Dooryard. Christopher Publishing House,
Boston, MA.
14. Skutch, Alexander F. 1976. Parent Birds and Their Young. University of Texas Press,
Austin, TX.
15. Terres, John K. 1982. The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds.
Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY.
16. Wauer, Roland H. 1973. Birds of Big Bend National Park and Vicinity. University of
Texas Press, Austin, TX.
17. Welty, Joel C. 1982. The Life of Birds. Saunders College Publishing, PA.
18. Whittemore, Margaret. 1981. Chimney Swifts and Their Relatives. Nature Book
Publishers, Jackson, MS.
- 52 -
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We wish to thank:
Katherine Van Winkle, DVM and Betty Schuessler for veterinary and technical assistance
with Chimney Swifts and other avian insectivores
Dr. Nixon Wilson for identification of ectoparasites found on the swifts cared for in our
facility
Dr. Richard B. Fischer for providing us with a basic understanding of the breeding biology
and growth and development of Chimney Swifts through his publications
Ann Connell, Don Connell, Kathy McElveen, Lydia Middendorf, Steve Janda and Ron
Wood for their suggestions during editing
Madge Lindsay, Chuck Hunter and Cliff Shackelford for their encouragement to pursue the
conservation aspect of this publication
Cecelia Riley formerly of Texas Partners in Flight and current director of the Gulf Coast
Bird Observatory for helping produce and distribute educational information on Chimney
Swift conservation
Sam Droege for inspiration and financial support of the North American Chimney Swift
Nest Site Research Project
The membership of and many contributors to the Driftwood Wildlife Association for
financial and emotional support of Chimney Swift rehabilitation and research
We owe a special thanks to our late friend Dr. Ralph W. Dexter for helping us understand
the complex behavior of Chimney Swifts in their roosts. His enthusiasm for our research
and observations continues to be an inspiration even in his absence.
- 53 -

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REHABILITATION AND CONSERVATION

Driftwood Wildlife Association

Illustrations by Georgean Z. Kyle

Photography by Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle

Handling, disturbing or molesting migratory birds is a violation of federal

Wildlife conservation is the responsibility of every rehabilitator.

Paul D. and Georgean Z. Kyle

The authors’ home, aviaries and Chimney Swift towers

Fledgling Housing…………………… 19 Table 4: Aerobic Microbial Flora in the

Hand-feeding………………………... 27 Appendix B: Progress Note…………. 51

Saliva Transfer…………………….... 29 References…………………………….. 52

Housing and Feeding

Chimney Swift Conservation…...….. 37

Predation of Chimney Swifts……….. 37

Maintaining Fireplace Chimneys for

Providing New Nesting and Roosting

Chimney Swifts vs. Chimney Sweeps.. 41

Chimney Swift in flight

Adult Chimney Swifts are most commonly

At rest, an average 122 cm (5 in.), 22.8 gm

The hatchlings are pink, altricial and

By fifteen to seventeen days of age, their

By the time Chimney Swifts are 21 days

Once an entire brood has fledged, they will

Chimney Swifts will congregate in flocks of

It is always important to explore every Replacing a nest using a broom stick

1. Until the first stool: administer 3 to 4

2. After the first stool: administer 3 to 4

An artificial Chimney Swift nest

To construct an artificial nest for nestlings

Cloth-lined chimney box

Until the swifts are completely feathered

Wall cross section of a flight cage An artificial chimney

A large, empty room can be converted to The flight should be completely

The first flight is usually a stressful event

Chimney Swifts are extremely social

Floor plan of the authors’ flight cage

• Small and medium mealworms (not • Blunt, narrow-tipped stamp tongs or

Once these initial preparations have been

Step Five: Fifteen to thirty minutes prior to

In spite of the constant contact resulting

If older nestlings, fledglings or recovering When Chimney Swifts hatch,

A young swift can be inoculated by feeding

During a 1985 study this procedure

A swift with a broken wing is usually a Over-wintering is discouraged. The muscle

• Swelling, air or fluid pockets on any Cultures generally take a minimum of 24

Adult Chimney Swifts must be force-fed until released

It is possible to construct habitat inches is adequate for the birds, but

Metal Flashing for predator guard

Rigid insulation board

5/8” Textured 1-11 plywood siding

Bottom with ventilation holes Angle steel legs

A Typical Wooden Chimney Swift Tower

An 8’ tall Free-stranding Tower A Kiosk Tower A 12’ tall Free-stranding Tower

• Provide the homeowner with some

• Close the damper or otherwise seal the

• Pack the area below the damper and the

TEMPORAL ACQUISITION OF CHIMNEY SWIFTS

May June July August

9. _and_ 1990. An evaluation of the role of microbial flora in the saliva

10. _and_ 1990. Housing Avian Insectivores During Rehabilitation (second