Swift Towers Take Flight: Live from Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy

We’re excited to introduce a brand-new addition to the PixCams live camera lineup — the Chimney Swift Tower Camera at Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy in Washington County, Pennsylvania! This unique live stream features a specially designed structure consisting of four chimney swift towers, created to help support the declining populations of these remarkable birds. With chimney swifts losing natural nesting habitat due to modern construction practices, artificial towers like these are critical for conservation — and now, thanks to PixCams, you can watch their fascinating behavior in real time from the comfort of your home.

Each of the four towers at Stormy Oaks was carefully constructed with chimney swift-friendly features and equipped with a high-quality live streaming camera system. Whether you’re a birding enthusiast, a conservation supporter, or simply someone who loves to observe nature, this new camera offers a rare glimpse into the nesting, roosting, and social behaviors of chimney swifts as they return from migration. The towers are part of a broader conservation effort made possible through collaboration with the dedicated team at Stormy Oaks, and we’re thrilled to bring this initiative to life on screen for our viewers.

Chimney Swifts: Aerial Acrobats in Need of Our Help

Chimney swifts (Chaetura pelagica) are among the most fascinating and agile birds in North America. Known for their fast, erratic flight and high-pitched chattering calls, these birds spend almost their entire lives in the air — eating, drinking, and even mating while in flight. Their long, scythe-like wings and short, stubby bodies give them the silhouette of flying cigars, and their incredible aerial abilities make them a joy to watch. But despite their remarkable adaptations, chimney swifts are facing a steep population decline.

Over the past few decades, chimney swift numbers have dropped significantly, with estimates suggesting a loss of over 65% of their population since the 1960s. The primary cause? Habitat loss. Chimney swifts traditionally nested in large hollow trees, but as forests were cleared and old-growth trees disappeared, they adapted by nesting in brick chimneys. However, modern building practices have made most chimneys inaccessible, and many older chimneys are now capped or removed altogether. With fewer places to roost and nest, chimney swifts are struggling to find suitable habitat.

That’s where conservation efforts like the chimney swift towers at Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy come into play. These specially designed towers mimic the interior of a traditional chimney, offering safe nesting and roosting sites for the birds. Providing artificial structures is one of the most effective ways to support chimney swift populations in areas where natural and manmade habitats have become scarce. These towers not only give the birds a place to raise their young but also serve as important communal roosting sites during migration.

Chimney swifts also play a vital role in our ecosystems. They are insectivores, consuming thousands of flying insects — including mosquitoes — every day. Their presence is a natural form of pest control, benefiting both people and local agriculture. By protecting chimney swifts, we’re also helping to maintain a balanced and healthy environment.

Public awareness and education are key to conservation. Projects like the live streaming chimney swift tower camera at Stormy Oaks allow people to witness these birds up close, fostering appreciation and understanding of their plight. When people can see firsthand how these birds live, interact, and depend on human support for survival, they’re more likely to get involved in conservation efforts — and that’s a win for both the swifts and the broader natural world.

Inside the Tower: Live Streaming the Lives of Chimney Swifts

Because chimney swifts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it’s illegal to disturb active nests. This makes the construction of artificial towers — like those at Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy — incredibly important. These structures provide safe, stable nesting and roosting habitat and play a crucial role in the recovery of the species. When installed in appropriate locations, swift towers have been proven to successfully attract swifts, especially if paired with nearby feeding habitat and supportive conservation practices.

By shining a spotlight on chimney swifts through live streaming technology, PixCams is helping to raise awareness and foster appreciation for a species many people hear but rarely see up close. Watching these birds engage in their aerial courtship displays, feed their young, or gather to roost for the night is both inspiring and educational. With public engagement and continued conservation efforts, we can give chimney swifts a fighting chance to thrive in the modern world.

Surprising Relatives: The Swift-Hummingbird Connection

At first glance, chimney swifts and hummingbirds might not seem to have much in common. One is a sooty, high-speed insectivore that rarely stops flying; the other is a jewel-toned nectar specialist that hovers at flowers with delicate precision. But despite their differences, these two birds are actually distant relatives — both belonging to the order Apodiformes, a group known for exceptional aerial agility and evolutionary specialization for life in the air.

The name Apodiformes means “footless,” which reflects the reduced, weak legs common to both swifts and hummingbirds. While they do have feet, neither group spends much time on the ground. Chimney swifts can’t perch like most birds; instead, they cling vertically to rough surfaces inside chimneys or towers. Hummingbirds also have limited ability to walk or hop, using their feet mainly for perching. Both birds have evolved to master the skies in different ways — hummingbirds with their hovering and reverse flight, and swifts with their tireless gliding and rapid turns.

Fossil evidence and genetic studies suggest that swifts and hummingbirds share a common ancestor, with the two lineages diverging millions of years ago. Hummingbirds went on to evolve in the Americas, becoming specialized for feeding on nectar and pollinating flowers. Swifts, meanwhile, spread across much of the globe and adapted to aerial insect hunting. Their connection reminds us that even very different bird species can share deep evolutionary roots — and highlights the incredible diversity that has emerged through adaptation to flight.

Understanding the link between chimney swifts and hummingbirds can deepen our appreciation for both. They represent two ends of the aerial lifestyle spectrum, showcasing nature’s ingenuity in shaping creatures that are built for the sky.

One Nest, One Chance: The Unique Nesting Habits of Chimney Swifts

Chimney swifts have one of the most distinctive nesting strategies in the bird world. Unlike many birds that build open-cup nests in trees or shrubs, chimney swifts construct their nests vertically, attaching them directly to the inside wall of a chimney, tower, or hollow tree. Their tiny, half-saucer-shaped nests are made entirely of small twigs, which the birds gather mid-flight and glue together using their own sticky saliva. It’s a delicate, resourceful process — and the result is a nest that clings to the vertical surface like a small wooden basket.

What makes chimney swift nesting behavior especially interesting is that only one breeding pair will nest per structure, regardless of its size. While dozens or even hundreds of swifts may roost communally in a tower or chimney during migration or at night, only one pair gets the opportunity to build a nest and raise a brood in that location. This nesting pair typically arrives early in the season, quickly securing the nesting site before others move in just to roost.

Once the nest is built, the female lays 3–5 white eggs, which both parents incubate for about 18–21 days. After hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for nearly a month before fledging. During this time, both adults are constantly in motion, swooping out in wide circles to collect thousands of flying insects to feed their young. Occasionally, non-breeding “helper” swifts may assist with feeding, a behavior that researchers believe may be a form of cooperative breeding.

Because only one pair nests per chimney or tower, the number of available nesting sites plays a critical role in chimney swift reproduction. That’s why building artificial towers — like those at Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy — is so important. Each tower represents a new opportunity for a pair to successfully raise young and contribute to the population’s recovery. By understanding their nesting behavior and supporting these efforts, we can help ensure these graceful aerialists continue to grace our summer skies for generations to come.

Building for the Swifts: How You Can Help

If you’re inspired to support chimney swift conservation, one of the most impactful things you can do is help provide nesting habitat by building a chimney swift tower. These towers are specially designed vertical structures that mimic the interior of old brick chimneys or hollow trees — the natural nesting sites swifts depend on. A well-constructed tower can serve as both a nesting site for a breeding pair and a communal roosting spot for dozens of other swifts during migration.

Chimney swift towers vary in design, but the most effective models are at least 12–16 feet tall, made from wood or masonry, and have a rough interior surface that allows swifts to cling to the walls. The tower should be placed in an open area away from overhanging trees, with minimal human disturbance. Ventilation, drainage, and access panels for monitoring are also important design features.

PixCams offers a great example of how these towers can be built and used for public education and conservation. You can visit our Chimney Swift Tower Cam page to see a live view inside the towers at Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy and learn more about how they were constructed. For those interested in building their own, detailed plans and guidelines are available through organizations like Chimney Swift Conservation Association or Texas Parks and Wildlife.

By building or supporting the installation of chimney swift towers, you’re helping reverse the loss of critical habitat — one tower, and one nesting pair, at a time.

DIY Guide: How to Build a Chimney Swift Tower

Building a chimney swift tower is a rewarding conservation project that can make a real difference. Here’s a simplified step-by-step overview to get you started:

1. Choose a good location – Pick an open area away from trees and buildings, ideally at least 30 feet from tall vegetation. Chimney swifts prefer open flight paths.
2. Build a tall vertical structure – Towers should be at least 12 feet tall (16 feet is ideal) and 2 feet wide on each side. Wood-framed towers with a waterproof roof are common.
3. Ensure a rough interior surface – Chimney swifts need to cling to the inside walls, so use rough plywood or add grooves or mesh to give them grip.
4. Add ventilation and drainage – Proper airflow and water drainage are critical. Include vent holes near the top and drain holes in the bottom.
5. Include an access door – A hinged panel near the bottom allows you to inspect and clean the tower after nesting season.
6. Mount securely – Secure the tower on a concrete base or use heavy posts sunk into the ground to prevent tipping in wind.

For full construction plans with diagrams, materials lists, and in-depth instructions, we recommend downloading the plans from the Chimney Swift Conservation Association or checking out the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s chimney swift tower guide:

• Chimney Swift Tower Construction Guide (PDF, CSCA)
• Texas Parks & Wildlife – Chimney Swift Towers

By following these plans, you can create a safe and effective nesting site — and maybe even host your own chimney swift family in the future.

Here’s a downloadable, printable guide to building your own chimney swift tower:

📄 Download the Chimney Swift Tower Build Guide

Watch the Swifts Live at PixCams.com

Now you can witness the incredible lives of chimney swifts up close and in real time! Tune in to our four live-streaming chimney swift tower cameras at Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy, exclusively at PixCams.com. Whether you’re watching them roost at night, listening to their chattering calls, or hoping to spot a nesting pair in action, these cams offer a rare glimpse into the hidden world of one of North America’s most fascinating aerial insectivores. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with nature and support conservation — all from the comfort of your home.

Watch All 4 Chimney Swift Tower Cams LIVE Here

https://pixcams.com/swift-tower-cams/