Chimney Swifts in San Antonio: What to Do When Birds Nest in Your Chimney
Why you shouldn’t remove nesting chimney swifts, how long to wait, and how to keep birds out next year, from Alamo Chimney Sweepers.
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Quick answer: If you hear chirping or rustling in your chimney between spring and late summer, it’s likely chimney swifts, a small bird that nests on the inside walls of chimneys. They are protected by federal law, so leave them alone, keep the damper closed, and plan any chimney cleaning for late fall after they migrate south.
What are chimney swifts?
Chimney swifts are small, dark birds that spend most of their lives flying and build their nests on the inside walls of chimneys. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, they migrate to North America from Peru in the spring and return to South America in the fall.
Is it legal to remove chimney swifts?
No, not while they are nesting. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department states: “It is illegal to remove or disturb Chimney Swifts, their nests, eggs or young during the breeding season.” Chimney swifts are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
What should I do if birds are nesting in my chimney?
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Keep the damper closed to block noise and keep birds out of the house | Light a fire or use smoke to drive the birds out |
| Wait until the birds leave in fall, then schedule cleaning | Have the chimney swept while birds are nesting |
| Install a chimney cap after the birds are gone | Cap the chimney with birds inside |
| Call a chimney professional if a bird falls into the fireplace | Try to reach into the flue yourself |
How long do I have to wait to clean my chimney?
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends rescheduling cleaning by at least 6 weeks if there are eggs and at least 4 weeks if there are young, and says late fall, after the swifts have migrated south, is preferable. That fits well with the usual advice to have your chimney swept and inspected in early fall, before your first fire. See our San Antonio maintenance checklist for timing.
What if a baby bird falls into the fireplace?
Texas Parks and Wildlife notes that a chimney professional can return fully feathered chicks found below the damper to the wall above it so they can climb back up, then close the damper. If you find a bird in your fireplace, keep the glass doors or screen closed and call us at (210) 899-5993.
How do I keep birds out next year?
Once the birds have left for the season, a properly fitted chimney cap with mesh sides keeps birds and other animals out of the flue. For other birds and animals, see our bird removal and prevention and animal removal pages.
Sources
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Chimney Swifts: information for homeowners and chimney sweeps.
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