Chimney Swifts

Over the summer, everyone who works within the center looks forward to getting groups of Chimney Swifts. CHSW are notorious for being difficult for learning rehabbers to take care of. They must be fed every 30 minutes the entire time they are in rehab due to their hunting style in the wild. Any fluctuations or lack of food can result in a rapid decline in health. In addition, they are extremely delicate to handle because of their small size. Occasions where a swift does not want to eat, means that we have to force-feed. If done improperly, their beak can become misaligned. When removing them from their perched position, it is also extremely easy to accidently pull their toes off. CHSW are a flocking species, occurring in the thousands in some cases. They also migrate to South America in the fall every year. When we get them as patients, it is vital that we release them into an established colony before their migration.

There is a colony on the Lees-McRae campus that we usually release our patients into. Unfortunately, construction around their nests drove the colony away early. In a race to find a new colony, I happened to have some make a home in my chimney. When a group of patients was ready for release, my professor came to my house and helped place them within the small family group in my chimney. It was amazing to watch the flock take in the patients and see their flight behaviors coral the inexperienced CHSW into where the nests were. In this picture, you can see my professor on my roof placing CHSW within my chimney.

Overall, taking care of them was extremely hard and labor-intensive, but watching their success within my own chimney made it all the better. I am very much looking forward to seeing their return this summer.