Chimney Swift Towers

Chimney Swift tower at Hillside Elementary School.

With the loss of natural old growth forest and with chimneys being capped or torn down, Chimney Swifts need additional nesting and roosting habitat.

Since Chimney Swifts have come to rely on the insides of chimneys as their primary nesting and roosting sites, building artificial nest “chimneys” can help to conserve this species.

Chimney Swift towers need to have a rough interior surface that the swifts can cling to and also build their nest. And, they need to be insulated to reduce temperature fluctuation with the chamber. A light vinyl or hardi-panel siding is installed to complete the exterior. Playing a recording of the swift calls helps the swifts locate the tower.

Working with our partners, over 70 towers have been constructed in the last couple of years in Minnesota. To see some examples of these towers click here. to order plans for building towers, click here.