Have you ever heard of the Chimney Swift? Have you been lucky enough to observe a colony enter a chimney while the evening's light is fading? Surprisingly, at this time of day, swifts adopt a behaviour similar to hundreds and hundreds of bats returning to their favourite roosting spot! It can look like smoke pouring back down the chimney. Chimney Swifts belong to the family apodidae. Etymologically, it means "without foot" because the apodidea species are known to have long wings and small feet. This is why these species are rarely observed on the ground spending most of their time in the sky where they seem to be particularly comfortable!
Recently, this species was classified as threatened by the Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC) (2007) and is under consideration to be classified as an endangered species under the Species At Risk Act in Canada. For the last couple of decades, in North America and more locally in Ontario, several associations have been involved in swift conservation. The Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) share this goal, which is why we have created this website entirely dedicated to the Chimney Swift. You will find information on swift life history and biology, a recent survey of population trends, some information on the species within the Kingston area, the different tools being used to help swift recovery, the projects KFN is involved in and website links of other organizations working on Chimney Swifts.