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These birds have, over the years, adapted to using man-made structures, in particular, chimneys, airshafts and abandoned buildings. This happened due to the loss of large hollow trees as natural roosting and nesting sites.
Swifts nest on these vertical structures by building a nest made of small twigs in a half-moon shape. Interestingly, the nest is glued to the vertical surface with the bird’s saliva. Some observers say the swift gathers dead twigs with its feet while in flight.
The female normally lays three to five white eggs. Both male and female are involved in nest construction and alternate incubating the eggs for 18 to 19 days. When the young begin to hatch, their parents catch flying insects on the wing to feed them until the birds fledge from the chimney about 30 days after hatching.
In late August to September, large flocks of Chimney Swifts form for migration. At this time, hundreds may roost inside a chimney or other suitable roost at night. If you have swifts in your chimney, you will most certainly hear them in the fall. If you have nesting swifts, you will hear them as well. Do not light a fire in your fireplace.
Their adaptation to chimneys has been so successful that many people now cover their chimney openings
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