in Action!

Chimney Swifts

Chimney Swifts are a species that seems to be declining throughout the U.S. Between 1966 and 2004 Chimney swifts e x hibited a 1.6 percent per year decline throughout its range, and during the same time period Chimney Swifts have e x perienced a 0.7 percent per year decline in Ohio .

Fortunately, we can take a few actions to help benefit Chimney Swifts in our yards and communities. Chimney Swifts can be a fun bird to attract to homes and yards because they are fascinating to watch as they whirl around in the skies at break-neck speeds. Because their diet is primarily composed of insects they can also be a great way of controlling insect pests, like mosquitoes, around our neighborhoods.

Creating Habitat for Chimney Swifts
-Follow the links below to learn how to create habitat for Chimney Swifts in your yard and community.
Nesting Habitat for Chimney Swifts Creating a Swift-friendly Home & Business Chimney Swift Research Project (pdf file)
Plantings for Chimney Swifts
To provide additional food resources for Chimney Swifts in your yard try planting Elderberry bushes around your property. Elderberries are a native Ohio plant that Chimney Swifts have been documented to feed on.
	Elderberry-Photo courtesy of Casey Tucker

Native Elderberries of Ohio

Monitoring Chimney Swifts

-to take part in other citizen science projects that monitor Chimney Swifts follow the links below.

Report Breeding Chimney Swifts

Report Fall Roosting Chimney Swifts