Montana FWP Highlights Chimney Swifts: One of the Fastest Birds in the Sky

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is drawing attention to chimney swifts, small, sooty-gray birds that are among the fastest flyers in the world and now considered a species of conservation concern.

Chimney swifts, often described as cigar-shaped with rapid, bat-like wingbeats, can reach speeds topping 60 miles per hour. They are capable of traveling up to 500 miles in a single day while feeding, consuming more than 1,000 flying insects daily and as many as 12,000 when raising their young, FWP said.

True to their name, the birds nest inside masonry chimneys and other vertical structures with rough surfaces, such as silos and barns. Their nests are small cups of twigs glued together with saliva and attached to the chimney wall. Each fall, hundreds or even thousands of swifts may gather in large chimneys at dusk, creating swirling aerial displays that attract onlookers across the country.

The 2025 State of the Birds Report lists chimney swifts as a “Tipping Point Species,” with populations declining more than 50 percent in the last half-century. Loss of suitable chimneys, pesticide use, shrinking insect populations and climate pressures are contributing factors, according to FWP.

“By preserving chimneys and supporting healthy insect populations, Montanans can make a real difference for chimney swifts,” FWP said.

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Although Montana is at the far western edge of the bird’s range, surveys by FWP and Montana Audubon have found small populations in eastern towns. The agency is encouraging residents to preserve chimneys, plant native gardens to support insect prey, and reduce building collision risks.