Three baby Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) recently arrived at CROW after being removed from their nest under the mistaken belief that they had been abandoned. While rescuing young wildlife often stems from compassion, cases like this emphasize the need to ensure an animal truly requires intervention before taking action.

Young birds are mistaken quite often for orphans when their parents are not immediately visible. Adult birds may leave the nest for long stretches while searching for food, and their absence does not always indicate abandonment.

If you find a healthy nestling in a safe location, the best first step is to observe from a distance and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice. If you suspect abandonment, continued monitoring can reveal whether the parents are returning. Most young birds have the greatest chance for survival and normal development when left in the care of their parents.

Fortunately, these three tiny swifts arrived in good condition and received expert care at CROW. The primary goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to provide every patient with the best opportunity to grow, develop, and ultimately return to the wild.

About Chimney Swifts

Chimney Swifts are remarkable birds that spend nearly their entire lives in the air. They feed almost exclusively on flying insects, catching their prey on the wing, and even drink and bathe while flying. During a migration, thousands of swifts can gather at dusk and spiral into a chimney together, creating a spectacular, tornado-like flock before settling in for night. 

Unlike most birds, Chimney Swifts have specialized feet adapted for clinging to vertical surfaces, such as chimneys, where they build their nests. Both parents construct a small, cup-shaped nest by gluing tiny twigs together with their saliva and attaching it securely to the wall.

CROW Case A Week stories are patient features written by Jordan Bryant, CROW’s Education and Marketing Intern. These stories appear weekly in Santiva Chronicle.