Overview
Yes, chimney swifts are found throughout the state of Florida. The chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica) is a small bird in the family Apodidae that is found across much of eastern North America. Chimney swifts get their name from their habit of nesting inside chimneys, but they will also nest in other man-made structures like air vents or wells.
Chimney swifts migrate to Florida each spring and stay to breed over the summer before returning to South America for the winter. They can be seen throughout the state from the panhandle to the Florida Keys. Chimney swifts feed exclusively on flying insects and are found wherever there are large populations of insects to eat.
Chimney Swift Overview
Here are some key facts about chimney swifts:
- Scientific Name: Chaetura pelagica
- Size: 5 to 6 inches long with a 12-inch wingspan
- Identifying Features: Uniformly dark gray-brown plumage, long curved wings, short tail, small body, large head, short legs
- Diet: Flying insects like flies, ants, beetles, mosquitoes
- Habitat: Near human habitation, nests in chimneys and other structures
- Range: Breeds in eastern North America, winters in northwestern South America
- Conservation Status: Near threatened due to habitat loss
Chimney swifts have very short legs that they use primarily for perching and clinging to vertical surfaces. In flight, their wings are curved back and their tail is reduced to help give them a streamlined silhouette for fast, agile flying. They have stiff bristles along the sides of their beaks that they use to help capture insects while airborne.
Chimney Swift Habitat and Behavior
Chimney swifts are aerial insectivores that spend nearly their entire lives on the wing. They even mate and gather nesting materials while flying. The only times chimney swifts land are to roost or nest. They require vertical surfaces for these activities since their legs are too short for perching horizontally.
Natural chimney swift nesting and roosting sites are hollow trees and caves. As these sites have declined due to development, chimney swifts have adapted to using man-made structures:
- Chimneys
- Air vents
- Wells
- Silos
- Barns
Any enclosed vertical space that is about 4 by 4 inches wide will work. Chimney swifts will build cup-shaped nests on the vertical surface made from twigs glued together with saliva. They nest in loose colonies with multiple pairs using the same chimney.
Chimney swifts fly high when foraging, usually 100-300 feet above ground. They will fly lower during wet or cold conditions when insects fly closer to the ground. Chimney swifts are most active around dawn and dusk on warm summer evenings when insect activity is highest. They roost communally at night and will swarm into their roosting chimney at dusk.
Chimney Swift Migration
Chimney swifts are long-distance migrants that breed in North America and winter exclusively in northwestern South America. They make an incredible journey of over 3,000 miles each way every year.
Here is the typical migration pattern for Florida’s chimney swifts:
- Spring Migration: Arrive in Florida in March and April
- Breeding Season: Nest and raise young from May to July
- Fall Migration: Leave Florida in September and October
- Wintering Grounds: Peru, Ecuador, Brazil
Chimney swifts time their migration to coincide with peaks in insect activity. This gives them abundant food resources all along their migration route both in North America and South America. They fly during the day when thermals and updrafts allow them to gain altitude and glide to conserve energy.
Chimney Swift Diet
Chimney swifts have an aerial insectivore diet, meaning they eat exclusively flying insects. With their small beaks, they are adapted to grabbing and swallowing smaller soft-bodied insects. Reported food items include:
- Flies
- Mosquitoes
- Moths
- Beetles
- Ants
- Aphids
- Bees
- Wasps
- Caddisflies
They opportunistically feed on whatever small insects are abundant in flight. One study found flies and ants made up over 50% of their diet. They drink by skimming low over water and dipping their beaks. Chimney swifts do not require perches, feeders, or bird baths since they feed entirely on the wing.
Chimney Swift Population in Florida
Chimney swifts occur statewide in Florida wherever suitable nesting habitat exists. They are found year-round in southern Florida and seasonally in northern Florida. Population estimates include:
- Total Florida Population: 250,000 to 500,000 breeding adults
- Southern Florida Year-round Population: 25,000 to 50,000
- Northern Florida Seasonal Population: 225,000 to 450,000
Chimney swift populations have declined significantly in recent decades. Loss of natural nest sites and conversions from masonry chimneys to metal flu pipes are the main culprits. Their conservation status is near threatened. Maintaining old unused chimneys and putting up chimney swift towers can help provide needed habitat.
Chimney Swift Population by Region of Florida
Here is a breakdown of chimney swift populations across different regions of Florida:
Region | Population Estimate |
---|---|
Panhandle | 75,000 to 150,000 |
North Florida | 50,000 to 100,000 |
Central Florida | 50,000 to 100,000 |
Tampa Bay | 25,000 to 50,000 |
Southwest Florida | 12,500 to 25,000 |
Southeast Florida | 12,500 to 25,000 |
Florida Keys | 5,000 to 10,000 |
The panhandle and north Florida have the largest seasonal chimney swift populations that migrate through. Central Florida also sees big numbers during migration. Southern Florida maintains smaller regional populations year-round.
Seeing Chimney Swifts in Florida
The best places to observe chimney swifts in Florida are near bodies of water or other spots with large insect populations. Here are some top sites:
- Wetlands – Watch for feeding flocks skimming for insects
- Lakes – Chimney swifts feed over open water
- Fields – Good foraging over agricultural fields
- Urban parks – Find them feeding over lawns and trees
- near Roosts – See them swarm into chimneys at dusk
Some specific places to spot chimney swifts in Florida include:
- Everglades National Park
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
- Lovers Key State Park
- Tall Timbers Research Station
Historic downtown areas with old masonry buildings and chimneys are also good sites to observe chimney swifts, like in St. Augustine, Micanopy, and Apalachicola.
Attracting Chimney Swifts
Here are some tips to attract chimney swifts to your property:
- Put up a chimney swift tower
- Leave old unused chimneys open
- Install vents or openings in attics/barns
- Create a swift-friendly chimney cap
- Plant native vegetation to attract insects
- Add a water feature like a pond
Chimney swifts are insectivores so they won’t visit bird feeders or seed baths. But providing habitat for roosting and nesting along with a healthy insect population will draw them in. Be sure to avoid pesticide use which reduces their food supply.
Fun Facts About Chimney Swifts
Here are some interesting facts about these acrobatic aerialists:
- They spend almost their entire lives airborne – even sleeping on the wing!
- Their nests are made of twigs glued together with saliva
- They bathe by flying through rain showers
- They breed in loose colonies with multiple pairs sharing a chimney
- Their short legs can’t perch – only cling vertically
- They migrate thousands of miles each year between North and South America
- Their scientific name Chaetura pelagica means “spine-tailed oceanic”
- Their tiny feet have sharp claws for clinging to surfaces
- They catch and eat flying insects exclusively on the wing
Chimney swifts are amazing aerialists. Watching them fly, bathe, and forage on the wing is a sight to behold. Protecting them by providing chimneys and towers helps preserve these unique birds.
Conclusion
Chimney swifts are migratory birds that nest and breed during the summertime across the state of Florida. They occur statewide wherever vertical nesting structures exist. Chimney swifts spend almost their entire lives airborne, feeding on insects caught in flight. They can be seen zooming overhead near wetlands, lakes, and fields. Providing artificial chimneys and towers can help attract these declining aerialists. Chimney swifts are fascinating to observe as they fly, bathe, mate, and roost without ever landing. Protect chimney swift habitat and enjoy watching Florida’s skilled high-flying acrobats!