[Picture from video taken by Michael Segerstrom] A bird species that CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are fond of, the aptly named Chimney Swift, considers chimneys to be the best shelter around. A chimney cap is a specially designed metal cover that is mounted on top of a chimney or fireplace. Thank you for signing up for text alerts! Help us to help one of Alabama’s most charismatic urban birds. National’s chimney swifts. In the United States, the chimney swift is the only member of its family found in the eastern half of the country. Later, more and more Chimney Swifts gathered until the sky was filled with flying “cigars,” swirling and circling around the chimney. With inspiration ranging from traditional fiddle tunes to pop and various international styles, they transport their audience with their exciting, unique sound. Chimney caps can prevent fires caused by burning embers that exit the chimney. Environmental influences on flocking, roosting, and feeding have been documented (Michael and Chao 1973 Michael, E. D. and W. H. Chao. The chimney swift, for example, is protected by federal law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. While even the graceful swallows must perch to preen and socialize, the chimney swifts flicker on, chattering and careening endlessly throughout the day. 2014). The cigar-shaped silhouette of the Chimney Swift is the key characteristic to look for to identify these birds in the air. The Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica, is a small, very agile, swallow-like, sooty- colored bird with long pointed wings. First, listen to the Chimney Swift call which is very distinctive and can be heard from a great distance. They fly with stiff, rapid wing beats. Get News and Action Alerts. What is a Chimney Swift? Worldwide, there are about 75 swift species. Chimney swifts are a dark charcoal-gray overall with a small black bill, eyes, and tiny feet. Swift Tower at National. After any young Chimney Swift is returned to a chimney, continue to monitor that the reunion has worked. On the other side of the continent, the white-throated swift, Vaux’s swift and black swift replace the chimney swift in the western United States and southern British Columbia in Canada. There are a number of ways to tell them apart. Click to see and hear Chimney Swifts (on YouTube courtesy of the Driftwood … Continue reading What are Chimney Swifts? The swift’s nickname is a “flying … Dick had samples (study skins) of the birds and a nest. A member of the genus Chaetura, it is closely related to both the Vaux's swift and the Chapman's swift; in the past, the three were sometimes considered to be conspecific.It has no subspecies.The chimney swift is a medium-sized, sooty gray bird with very long, slender wings and very short legs. Each bird drops inside and catches onto the rough interior, where it will hang until On the other side of the continent, the white-throated swift, Vaux’s swift and black swift replace the chimney swift in the western United States and southern British Columbia in Canada. You will receive text messages with ways to … Email address. For the next two years, chimney swifts were seen in the area, but none chose the tower for a nest site. Chimney Swifts are dark gray-brown, swallow-like birds with long, slightly curved wings and stubby tails. Chimney Swift Roost September 1, 2011 Scores, perhaps hundreds, of Chimney Swifts whirl in a flock, then form a funnel-shaped cloud above a chimney. The only swift occurring regularly in the east. Details about the North American Chimney Swift nest site research project and spring Chimney Swift sightings reports.