Many chimney sweep companies will lead you to believe that these are dirty, disease carrying birds, infested with mites and hazardous to your health. THEY ARE NOT. Quite the contrary, since they consume mosquitoes, flies, and other flying insects known to carry and spread disease, they are actually helping to clean the environment.

As the name implies, Chimney Swifts often nest in chimneys and it is not unusual to find a baby swift inside the fireplace if the damper has been left open.

Should this occur, gently pick the baby up, reach as far up into the chimney as possible above the damper and place the baby on the brick inside the chimney. The swift's tiny feet will cling tightly to the brick and the parents will coax the baby upward. Chimney swifts do not perch upright like songbirds, but cling vertically, more like a woodpecker. Once the baby is back inside the chimney, close the damper or block the opening with a heavy piece of cardboard to prevent a reoccurrence.

Another option for returning the baby swift to its family is to go onto the roof, reach down into the chimney and place the baby on the inside brick of the chimney. (never the outside)

It is always best to return baby birds to their parents, unless the babies are injured. In such a case, please contact the nearest wild bird rehabilitator as the swifts require experienced, specialized care.

For temporary care, a small cardboard box draped with a towel over one side will work. The chimney swifts will cling to the towel on the side of the box. Feeding a swift is not easy as they do not gape for food, but can be accomplished by dipping mealworms in plain yogurt and feeding with tweezers. This may be alternated with softened Science Diet Feline Growth, fed using a blunt end toothpick.

We never release Chimney Swift babies until the wing feathers are well crossed at the tail. They should always be released into an existing colony of adult swifts.

As with any release, these birds must be fully flighted and waterproof.

Remember, every attempt should be made to reunite any baby bird with their natural family. The guidelines we have provided are broad and general for the purpose of providing temporary care until an experienced wild bird rehabilitator can be contacted.