154: Chimney Swifts: The Birds That Almost Never Stop Flying

How can a bird spend almost its entire life in the air?In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're diving into the remarkable world of the Chimney Swift—one of North America's most unusual aerial birds.Chimney Swifts are built for life on the wing. They feed on flying insects in midair, spend much of their day airborne, and even gather in spectacular flocks before disappearing into chimneys to roost.Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore Chimney Swift flight, migration, nesting, roosting, diet, and the incredible adaptations that allow these birds to spend so much time in the sky.How long can Chimney Swifts stay in the air? Do they ever land? Why do hundreds or even thousands of swifts gather around chimneys? What do Chimney Swifts eat? Where did they nest before humans built chimneys? And where do they go during the winter?We also explore the unusual relationship between Chimney Swifts and humans. As old chimneys disappear or are capped, these birds are losing structures that have become important nesting and roosting habitat.If you've ever watched a swirling flock of birds disappear into a chimney at sunset—or seen mysterious crescent-shaped birds racing through the sky—this episode will give you a whole new appreciation for the incredible Chimney Swift.Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:YouTube InstagramTikTokBlueSky