10/11/2023 0 Comments Chimney sweep birds in fireplaceThey are reasonably durable, and can fare very well if kept warm, dark and quiet until they can be taken to a qualified caregiver. Do not attempt to feed or give water to baby Chimney Swifts. The birds’ claws may become tangled in loosely woven fabrics like terrycloth. The babies will need to be placed in an artificial nest consisting of a small covered box that is lined with a snag-free cloth. Because of their lifestyle, Chimney Swifts need to be able to cling to a stable surface to feel secure. In the interim, providing proper temporary housing is essential. If it is impossible to return young Chimney Swifts to their parents, they will need to be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Others have had good results taping the nest to a broom and wedging the broom in a corner of the chimney above the damper. Some rescuers have placed the nest in a basket and lowered it into the chimney from above. It must be either weighted or wedged in such a way that when the parents land on it to feed their young it does not tip over. One option is to place the nest in a shallow wicker basket and place it on the smoke shelf just above the damper. At the very least, the nest must be replaced above the damper in the lower section of the chimney. The most important thing to remember is that if the babies are not replaced in the original nest chimney – in approximately the original position in the chimney - the parents will be unable to feed them. However, there are several options that should be explored. Replacing the nest may require considerable innovation, and may not actually be possible. If they are not completely feathered or their eyes are not open, the process of returning the young to their parents will be considerably more difficult.īecause the designs of fireplaces and chimneys are so diverse, there is no single solution that will be appropriate in every instance of a fallen nest. Make certain the damper is closed so they do not fall into the fireplace again. If the babies are feathered they can be placed on the wall above the damper as previously described. Because of their specific diet, handling and housing requirements, this is particularly true with baby Chimney Swifts.Ĭhimney Swifts nest in inaccessible places, and this makes returning the babies to their parents an exceptional challenge. However, wildlife rehabilitators will insist that it is always best to reunite wild baby birds with their parents – whatever the species. Our hearts will go out to these helpless waifs, and we will be tempted to try to feed and care for them ourselves. The babies all may desperately cling to the nest, or may be found crawling blindly across the living room floor. But in spite of our best efforts, there will still be occasions when a nest will fall and very young Chimney Swifts will end up in the fireplace where the parents are unable to care for them. Keeping a chimney clean and the damper closed will eliminate most of the problems that arise between people and Chimney Swifts. What to Do With a Fallen Chimney Swift NestĬhimney Swifts: North America’s Mysterious Birds Above the Fireplace
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