As we turn the corner into September, bird-watchers look to the skies. Birds of all sorts are on the move, some new to migration or making the return trip yet again. Soon, warblers will begin migrating from northern Wisconsin to Central America, bugling sandhill cranes will make their way to the Gulf Coast, and American kestrels will take the short trip to Illinois.
One delightful species joining in migration is an acrobatic bird that puts on a dazzling show most August and September evenings. They’re easy to identify, because they form swirling funnels of small, chattering flappers, circling around a chimney in the sunset.
Then, as the sun drops below the horizon, they start dropping in -- a smoking chimney in reverse.
These incredible birds are chimney swifts, a native summer breeder in Wisconsin that is now making its long trek to South America for the winter.
About Chimney Swifts
Chimney Swifts are dark gray-brown, swallow-like birds with long, slightly curved wings and stubby tails. They fly with stiff, rapid wing beats. Their call while in flight is a series of quick, chittering noises. The swift’s nickname is a “flying cigar” because of its short 5.25” body and its 12.5” wingspan.
This small bird spends almost its entire life in flight, feeding and drinking on the wing. Swifts help keep insect numbers in check and eat up to half their weight in flying insects each day! Chimney Swifts nest and roost in chimneys, concrete silos, and in other enclosed vertical masonry.
Nesting chimney swift, photo by Nancy Naback
Unfortunately, Chimney Swift populations are declining throughout North America. One reason for this decline may be that fewer chimneys remain uncapped and available as habitat. Our chimneys are their homes — they return to the same chimney each year and are dependent on us to provide nesting and roosting space.
Learn more about chimney swifts and see them in action in our August 29, 2020 video of A Swift Night Out Online (originally streamed as a Facebook Live video):
A Swift Night Out Wisconsin
Each Fall, the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group supports individuals and organizations throughout the state in hosting in-person events called A Swift Night Out. These events happen throughout North America, and are often big draws for community members and birders who enjoy watching and documenting these birds. Attendees report roosting sites and count and record how many swifts are using the chimney that night. Madison Audubon has hosted A Swift Night Out, led by Sandy Schwab, for the past 7 years, sometimes with 150+ attendees!
During the COVID-era, these big, wonderful events must take a different form. Because these birds are in decline and need attention and protection, Madison Audubon and the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group created a new citizen science event called A Swift Night Out Wisconsin.
Wherever you are in the state, throughout the entire month of September, you can report sightings of chimney swift roosts – and even better, count the number of swifts roosting there – using the free eBird website/app or by downloading and mailing in a datasheet.
By reporting roosting sites, you can help scientists and conservationists identify important sites to protect and restore, and better understand populations and movements of this wonderful species.
Learn more and join in at madisonaudubon.org/swift or https://wiswifts.org
Written by Brenna Marsicek, Madison Audubon director of outreach and communications, and Sandy Schwab, Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group chair
