Chimney swift

The breeding range of the chimney swift extends from the eastern half of the United States and the southern reaches of eastern Canada. It is a rare summer visitor to the Western U.S. The winter range is the north western section of South America.

In New Jersey, chimney swifts migrate and breed throughout the state.

Chimney swifts nest and roost in chimneys, tree hallows, and caves. They are most commonly found in urban and suburban environments.

Chimney swifts feed on flying insects such as flies, mayflies, craneflies, beetles, bees, and wasps. They forage during the day in flocks and occasionally at night near streetlight. Along with catching insects in flight, they can pick insects off the tips of branches.

Breeding season for chimney swifts begin in early May and ends in mid-August. The chimney swift nest is built by both male and female. The nest is made up of small twigs woven together and is placed on the inside wall of a chimney using their saliva as glue to keep the nest attached to the wall. 3-5 eggs are typically and are incubated for 16-21 days. The young fledge around 14-19 days.

The chimney swift is listed in New Jersey as a Species of Special Concern (not yet endangered or threatened but possibly on its way). In the northeast, chimney swifts are threatened by the decrease in brick chimneys along with the decrease of flying insects due to pesticides, drought, and extreme cold snaps.