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The Race Is to the Swift
By John W. Kennedy | July 9, 2008
Chimney swifts look like bats as they dart in and out of their summer brick home that is our chimney. Recently we had an employee of a local chimney company come to our house to discuss repairs needed for our fireplace before next winter. My wife, Patty, told the repairman he would need to make sure no birds were nesting in the chimney before he began working. We learned that because chimney swifts are protected by federal law, the repairman would not do the work if he found any of the species flapping around.
When we mentioned having birds in our chimney every spring, our savvy repairman incredulously explained that the inhabitants are the same individual birds every year—they winter in South America, and then fly back to our chimney thousands of miles away. Somehow God has given them the ability to wing their way back and locate the exact house they lived in the year before. They build nests for their young impressively by forming twigs together that cling to bricks via a saliva-like substance.
Chimney swifts are cleaner than most birds, and are monogamous for life—so much so that when one bird dies, its mate never seeks a replacement.
These amazing creatures can teach humans a thing or two about life. They are resourceful, hardworking and loyal.
Topics: birds |
July 21st, 2008 at 7:54 pm
So, I’m dying to know — did you have your chimney repaired or did you have to leave it as is for the swifts?
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:58 am
Yes, we’re waiting to have the work done until the swifts have vacated.
John