Overview
Chimney Swift: Medium-sized swift, uniformly dark brown with slightly paler throat and upper breast. Inconspicuous spines extend past web at tips of tail feathers. Bill, legs and feet are black. Flight is rapid and batlike on swept-back wings, alternates with gliding. Soars on thermals and updrafts.
Range and Habitat
Chimney Swift: Breeds from southeastern Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba, central Ontario, southern Quebec, and Nova Scotia south to Gulf coast states. Spends winters in the tropics. Nests and roosts in chimneys and feeds entirely on the wing over forests, open country, and towns.
Topo Map:
Swallow-like Body
Listen to Call
Voice Text
"chatter-chatter-chatter"
Interesting Facts
Chimney Swifts do not perch. Instead they use their long claws to cling to the walls of chimneys and other vertical surfaces.
These birds fly constantly. They are almost always on the wing except when they are at the nest or on the roost at night. They even bathe in flight by flying low over a body of water, touching the water with their chest and then shaking the water from their feathers.
The Chimney Swift looks a little strange as it flies. It appears to be beating only one wing at a time. Studies, however, have shown that it actually beats both wings. The illusion is due to the erratic nature of its flight with all the banks and turns.
A group of swifts are collectively known as a "box", "flock", "screaming frenzy", and "swoop" of swifts.
Bird Term Glossary
Author
Gary Owen Dick
Artist
Yury Lisyak
.