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Birds--General/Shimney swift nests
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Question
Recent articles and news indicates a decline in the population of Chimney swifts. Article in Audubon magazine seems to indicate that in an active chimney (we have one in a church a little over a mile from our place, count upwards of 200 spiraling down to roost in Summer at dusk) there is ONLY ONE NESTING PAIR! Also states that it is noteworthy to even find a natural roost in trees any more. So how can there possibly be a sustained population if so few actually build nests and rear young? This would seem to indicate that possibly a hundred pair in this group do not nest & breed? Regardless of lack of available sites, chimneys, for nesting, this would indicate that nature has wired into this species a natural decline in population....large groups roosting together in not that many sites. would hundreds of chimneys, smaller roosts, even be possible?
Thanks,
Pat & Glenda
I can't speak to your particular situation, but you can say the same thing about dozens of other bird species. I seriously doubt that nature has wired into this or any other species a natural decline in population. Any species decline is almost always due to a change in the environment. Climate change is certainly a major factor, as is disappearance of habitats, pollution, pesticides, etc. House Sparrows in England - once a very common species - are declining because insects are disappearing - too many pesticides being used. Could be a factor in the decline of Chimney Swifts as well.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 8 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | I think you probably hit on the answer, destruction of habitat. If Chimney swifts, in the past, nested in dead, hollow trees, then their population per roost would have been smaller, there would have been more total, and the unique habit of just one nest per "roost" might have worked. Swallows, other birds that form colonies do not have this restraint on breeding....many nests together. Possibly Chimney swifts could have nested in caves doesn't really seem possible, they don't use silos or other such structures.ALSO...we not that juveniles are not seen (or distinguished) in the massive flocks that come to the church chimney. This one nest per chimney (or structure), this is a major hindrance in trying to help this declining species.... | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Roger Lederer
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Any and all questions about WILD birds - not caged, domestic or poultry. Can answer questions about identification, taxonomy, behavior, courtship, plumage, flight, or anything else.
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Taught ornithology (the study of birds) at the university level for 30 years. Have written five books on birds, published 30 scientific articles, write a blog on birds, have the website www.ornithology.com, lectured to hundreds of groups on birds,and have traveled to 90 countries studying birds.
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PhD in Zoology with emphasis in ornithology.
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Professional Achievement Award, Jack Rawlins Chair of Environmental Literach.
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