Chimney swifts are migratory birds that spend the summer months in the eastern United States, including Philadelphia, before returning to their wintering grounds in South America. In Philadelphia, chimney swifts can often be seen flying around and roosting in the city’s many old brick chimneys, which provide them with suitable nesting and roosting sites. These birds play an important role in the local ecosystem by helping to control insect populations, particularly mosquitoes and other flying insects.
With this recent warmer weather, these homeowners heard twittering in their chimneys. After some investigation, they noticed birds flying out of their chimney during the day. They gave us a call, and during our whole home inspection, we found evidence of chimney swifts nesting in their chimney.
Birds nesting in your chimney can cause homeowners a variety of issues. Professional bird removal from your chimney is needed. Learn more about the problems associated with birds in chimneys and our effective solutions for bird control.
Signs of Chimney Swifts in Chimney
Flying Birds
If chimney swifts are living in your chimney, they will fly out to feed in the early morning and return to your chimney in the evening. It is easy to mistake swifts for bats. Unlike swifts, bats have an opposite schedule. Bats are nocturnal. If you see flights out of your chimney at sunset, it’s most likely to be bats.
Chimney Swift Sounds
Common chimney swift sounds primarily consist of a twittering call produced by a series of rapid, high-pitched chirps. Each call lasts about three seconds. In groups, the chirping can sound like buzzing insects. When their colonies are disturbed, adult chimney swifts slap their wings together to create a loud booming noise, while nestlings make raspy sounds.
Chimney Swift Droppings
They are often found in clusters or lines on the chimney, as the birds tend to roost and nest in chimneys. The droppings can accumulate and create a noticeable buildup on the exterior of the chimney, especially around the top or opening.
Chimney Swift Problems
Just because chimney swifts are a protected bird doesn’t mean you have to ignore an infestation. Chimney swifts can damage your chimney and spread diseases to you and your family.
Bird droppings contain bacteria, parasites, and allergens affecting the lungs. Dried bird droppings grow fungi that cause respiratory diseases such as histoplasmosis and tuberculosis and can also worsen existing respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Chimney swifts build their nests using twigs, saliva, and other materials, which can accumulate over time and block the chimney flue.
Chimney Swift Control Solutions From Critter Control of Philadelphia
Birds are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is unlawful to kill, capture, or harm them in any way. When you need bird removal from your chimney, the professionals at Critter Control are your best solution. We have over 40 years of experience in the humane and lawful removal of any nuisance animal in and around homes.
Bird exclusions are physical barriers that keep birds out or away from certain areas. Exclusions are employed after birds have been eradicated from your chimney to keep them from returning. Exclusion is a more permanent solution.
Chimney caps are protective coverings that fit on top of your chimney. In addition to keeping birds out, they will keep other wildlife, such as raccoons and squirrels, out. Made of metal, they come in different sizes and will keep rain and snow from damaging your chimney’s bricks and dampers, prevent downdrafts, and keep embers from flying out onto your roof.
Placing a chimney cap has to be done in the fall after chimney swifts have left on their migration south. When they return in the spring, they will not be able to enter the chimney to take up residence again. Repairing and sealing around your chimney ensures chimney swifts cannot find an alternate entrance into your chimney.
A Note on Chimney Swifts in Philadelphia
Chimney swifts are beneficial birds to have around the yard when nesting outside and away from your home. When you see them soaring back and forth high in the air, they are catching bugs mid-flight, eating as many as 12,000 insects—mosquitos, wasps, and aerial spiders—daily. Chimney swifts are in decline, and many chimney swift supporters build a chimney swift tower in their yards or advocate for them in parks.
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