REHABILITATION AND CONSERVATION OF CHIMNEY SWIFTS (Chaetura pelagica) by Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle Illustrations by Georgean Z. Kyle Photography by Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle Fourth Edition Rehabilitation and Conservation of ChimneyCOPYRIGHT Swifts, Fourth Edition2004 - Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle DRIFTWOODDriftwood Wildlife WILDLIFE Association, CopyrightASSOCIATION 2004 - 1 - REHABILITATION AND CONSERVATION OF CHIMNEY SWIFTS (Chaetura pelagica) by Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle Driftwood Wildlife Association 14246 Hunters Pass Austin, Texas 78734 [email protected] www.ChimneySwifts.org Illustrations by Georgean Z. Kyle Photography by Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle Fourth Edition COPYRIGHT 2004 The text, photos and illustrations in this publication are protected by law and may be reproduced only with the written permission of the authors. Rehabilitation and Conservation of Chimney Swifts, Fourth Edition - Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle Driftwood Wildlife Association, Copyright 2004 - 2 - Authors’ note: Chimney Swifts, their nests, eggs and young are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The information contained in this publication is intended for use by individuals who possess the appropriate state and federal permits. Handling, disturbing or molesting migratory birds is a violation of federal and state laws and is punishable by fines and / or imprisonment. To protect the precarious future of our migratory birds, any and all violations should be reported to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service as well as your state authorities. Wildlife conservation is the responsibility of every rehabilitator. Rehabilitation and Conservation of Chimney Swifts, Fourth Edition - Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle Driftwood Wildlife Association, Copyright 2004 - 3 - PREFACE We were introduced to our first Chimney Swift in the spring of 1983 at the Travis County Humane Society in Austin, Texas. Someone had found this small, sleek, black bird on the ground. It was unable to fly. The bird had the most remarkable eyes, and, when held, it actually held us with its small, grappling-hook feet. We were unsure of the species, but it was certainly different than anything we had ever seen. The swift had apparently collided with a window. After a week or so of being force-fed mealworms, it was released. Since then, we have not been able to walk outside without looking up at the sky. If the adult Chimney Swift was unusual, we thought the first brood of babies was absolutely bizarre. We were handed a small box that sounded as if it had been stuffed with mechanical wind-up toys. When it was opened, four reptilian-looking creatures exploded into a piercing "yipping" while bobbing and swaying their long necks. We were in love. Our first attempts to hand-rear baby swifts were mixed in their results. Older, feathered birds survived but showed numerous developmental problems. Younger birds simply weakened and died after a few days. We set out to develop a more suitable diet, and with the advice and suggestions of veterinary and nutritional professionals, were successful. Saliva transfer followed, and in 1984 our success rate with Chimney Swifts was so much improved that we submitted the first edition of this paper to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association for consideration. We were subsequently invited to present our paper at the 1985 NWRA symposium in Boston. Since we held that first swift more than 20 years ago we worked with more than 1400 individuals and 1100 were released back into the wild population. As our experience increased, the 1985 publication became less and less representative of our current techniques. In the early 1980’s almost all diets for small avian species was based on Purina Hi Pro dog meal or other grain-based domestic pet foods. As early as 1986, we began to question the necessity of soaked dog meal in the substitute diet. The high fat content and large portion of grain seemed out of place in an insectivorous diet. The swifts seemed to agree. By the time they were fully feathered, most rejected the meal. Finally in 1987 we decided to eliminate the Purina Hi Pro for a year and compare the results. By the end of the season there had been no adverse effects in the development of the birds, and there was one obvious benefit. The fat in the meal had always soiled the feathers around the swifts' mouths and made them difficult to keep clean. This was no longer a problem. More importantly, the average weight of the hand-reared swifts at the time of release has consistently been 10% greater since the dog meal was eliminated. The other ingredients of the original diet remain unchanged, but the mechanics of the feeding process have been modified somewhat. These changes simplify the procedure and help to keep the birds even cleaner. A step-by-step description of our current techniques is presented in the feeding section of the paper. Rehabilitation and Conservation of Chimney Swifts, Fourth Edition - Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle Driftwood Wildlife Association, Copyright 2004 - 4 - This edition describes housing in more detail than the original. The housing requirements change dramatically as Chimney Swifts grow. Keeping pace with these needs is crucial to their psychological and physical well-being, and will greatly improve their chances of survival after release. As licensed bird-banders, we have always banded our swifts prior to release. (The most dramatic developments since the 1985 publication are the results of our ongoing post- release study.) In the winter of 1988, we constructed two artificial chimneys. The wooden towers are 22' tall, 2' square and have viewing ports at 13' for observation of the occupants. The two towers were constructed in the west corners of our swift flight, and were intended as roosts for swifts released at the facility. To our delight, a pair of wild swifts nested in the north tower that first spring. We were overwhelmed when we discovered that one of the parents was a banded hand-reared bird from the previous year. In each subsequent year additional hand-reared swifts have been roosting in both towers. In 1991, the fall roosting flock of 178 birds included 16 hand-reared swifts with individuals from each of the years since the towers were constructed. Being able to document the breeding success and post- migratory return of hand-reared Chimney Swifts has assured us that our diet and techniques are both appropriate and effective. We are gratified by the responses and helpful comments we have received from so many other rehabilitators who have used the original 1985 publication and the subsequent editions of this paper to dramatically improve their own success with swifts. We are pleased to present this fourth edition, and hope the information continues to improve the quality of care for Chimney Swifts throughout their range. Paul D. and Georgean Z. Kyle The authors’ home, aviaries and Chimney Swift towers Rehabilitation and Conservation of Chimney Swifts, Fourth Edition - Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle Driftwood Wildlife Association, Copyright 2004 - 5 - CONTENTS Life History of the Chimney Swift….. 7 Table 1: Temporal acquisition of Chimney Swifts………………………. 46 Hand-rearing Chimney Swifts……… 12 Table 2: Growth, Development and Evaluating Calls for Assistance……… 12 Housing of Hand-reared Chimney Swifts……………………… 47 Initial Care…………………………… 13 Table 3: Weights and Wing Chords of Nestling Housing…………………….. 17 Hand-reared Chimney Swifts……...… 48 Fledgling Housing…………………… 19 Table 4: Aerobic Microbial Flora in the Oral Cavities of Chimney Swifts…..... 49 Substitute Diet………………………. 24 Appendix A: Sources for Products Preparation of Substitute Diet………. 26 and Supplies………………………….. 50 Hand-feeding………………………... 27 Appendix B: Progress Note…………. 51 Saliva Transfer…………………….... 29 References…………………………….. 52 Injuries……………………………… 30 Acknowledgements……………………. 54 Illness……………………………….. 32 Housing and Feeding Recovering Adults and Juveniles…… 34 Release………………………………. 35 Chimney Swift Conservation…...….. 37 Predation of Chimney Swifts……….. 37 Maintaining Fireplace Chimneys for Chimney Swifts…………………….. 38 Providing New Nesting and Roosting Habitat………………………………. 40 Chimney Swifts vs. Chimney Sweeps.. 41 Rehabilitation and Conservation of Chimney Swifts, Fourth Edition - Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D. Kyle Driftwood Wildlife Association, Copyright 2004 - 6 - LIFE HISTORY OF THE CHIMNEY SWIFT The Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) is gray in color. Both sexes are identical in one of four regularly occurring species of appearance (11,15). The long wings cross swifts found in North America, and the by an inch or more over the tail feathers, most common one found east of the Rocky which are tipped by pointed bristles. Mountains (11,15). As their name implies, they are accustomed to building their nests Both the claws and tail bristles are used to in chimneys as well as abandoned buildings cling to rough vertical surfaces. Swifts are and occasionally stone wells (5,17). unable to perch or stand upright in Because of their close association with passerine fashion (16). people, the adults and their young are frequent candidates for rehabilitation (7). Chimney Swift in flight Adult Chimney Swifts are most commonly seen in flight -- usually in groups. When Tail bristles are used for propping on vertical soaring, their long, scythe-shaped wings surfaces, and are unique to Chaetura species span about 31.75 cm (12.5 in.) supporting a proportionally short body with a squared- off tail. The flickering, bat-like flight when flapping is due to short, massive wing bones (15). A sharp “chippering” or “ticking” call accompanies Chimney Swifts’ flight. At rest, an average 122 cm (5 in.), 22.8 gm (0.8 oz) adult is sooty-gray to black with Sharp claws and strong feet make Chimney Swifts the throat slightly lighter or even silvery- perfectly adapted to their vertical life style Rehabilitation and Conservation of Chimney Swifts, Fourth Edition - Georgean Z. Kyle and Paul D.