Chimney Swifts

I was nearly lifted off the ground by mosquitoes two weeks ago, but it was worth it to be able to watch hundreds upon hundreds of Chimney Swifts swirl around an elementary school chimney until one by one they all filed inside. Someone should put a camera in that chimney to see what it looks like when that many birds are crammed into such a tight space.

According Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds website, Chimney Swifts have long claws that allow them to cling to cliffs and chimney walls–they don’t perch like other birds.

Chimney Swifts do everything, including eating and bathing, while in flight. To bathe they dive into a body of water, smack the surface and then bounce up and shake off the extra water as they fly away.

I’d never seen a Chimney Swift before so seeing so many at once was very exciting.