Replacing a Baby Chimney Swift

A baby Chimney Swift has fallen and you want to return it to the nest. If you live in a one-story house, Pamela Bayne, director of the Triangle Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic, recommends the following:

Follow up:

1. Open the fireplace damper door completely.
2. Find or purchase a small wicker basket which has NO sharp edges and is about 4"-5" across with low, 1"-2", sides and place through the damper opening, on top of the damper plate to one side.
3. Gently place each baby into the basket through the damper opening.
4. When all young are in the basket, push the basket as far to one side of the top of the metal plate as possible. You want the basket to be wedged in a corner and resting against the upright chimney wall.
5. Close the damper door completely.

The parent Chimney Swifts will continue to feed and care for the young on the damper in a one-story house chimney.

If the bird's noise becomes a problem, you can go to any construction site and pick up a piece of scrap insulation to wedge in the fireplace opening under the damper plate. This can be held in place with 2 green twigs, which are slightly longer than the fireplace opening is wide, placed an "X" shape under the insulation and and held in place by wedging the tension.

Remember that each rescue situation is different. Instructions for replacing baby Chimney Swifts are different if you live in a two-story house or an older home, which may have a fireplace without a damper. Directions may also change depending on the age and condition of the baby - ie, eyes open or closed, feathers or no feathers, injured, etc.

It is always the best practice to call and discuss the situation with a local rehabilitator or rehabilitation clinic.