Chimney Swift

Chimney Swift

Chaetura pelagica
(Apodidae)

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5.25 inches long. The Chimney Swift has a cigar-shaped body with crescent-shaped wings. The tail is very short. It is sooty gray on the upperparts with a slightly paler rump. The throat is buff and the belly is sooty gray. The underwings are pale gray.

 

The Chimney Swift is a common breeding bird in the area that arrives in late March and leaves by late October.

 

The Chimney Swift is an agile bird using rapid, wing-beats as it catches insects. It often soars, especially during courtship. It gets its name for its propensity to roost in chimneys. Chimney Swifts can be noticeable during migration when large flocks circle in large tornado-like fashion above chimneys at dusk and then suddenly dive into the chimney. The population of this bird increased with the construction of chimneys that provided nesting sites for the birds. However, new style chimneys are not as usable and the population is now in decline. They are vary vocal birds and their twittery call of high-pitched notes often will alert the observer that the birds are present.

 

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