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Chimney Swift Monitoring
in Ontario
The Canadian Chimney Swift population has declined by almost 30% over the last
three generations (13.5 years), and there has been a simultaneous and comparable
decrease in area of occupancy over the same period of time. This dramatic and
rapid population decline has led to the recent listing of Chimney Swifts by the
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as a
federally threatened species. Similar declines in swift numbers and range are
unfortunately all too common across North America, but it is difficult to
identify the cause for these declines as little is yet known about Chimney Swift
behaviour and ecology. Decreases in suitable roosting /nesting habitat, a
decline of insect availability, and an increase in unpredictable weather are
among the several suspected causes.
Several individuals and field naturalist groups across Ontario have already
recognised the need to monitor Chimney Swift populations. Bird Studies Canada (BSC)
is interested in helping to coordinate monitoring efforts, with the goal of
creating a standard protocol. Our goals are to record swift numbers, behaviour
and, movements throughout their Ontario range, resulting in comprehensive and
comparable province-wide population trends.
Click here to find out more about Ontario SwiftWatch.
To contact us
Elisabeth van Stam
Ontario Programs Biologist
Bird Studies Canada
115 Front Street, P.O. Box 160
Port Rowan, Ontario
E-mail: evanstam@birdscanada.org
Telephone: 888-448-2473 ext. 173
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