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Mass Audubon State of the Birds

Find a Bird

Chimney Swift
Chaetura pelagica

The Chimney Swift, historically a cavity nester that has practically made a complete coversion to chimney nesting in Massachusetts, is now a common and very widespread migrant and breeder; however, there are increasing concerns about an overall decline in its population in North America as these chimneys are capped or demolished.
Conservation Status
Continued Action/Monitoring Needed

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Least Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.52
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.53
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
0.01
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
-2.60
National Audubon Societyb
n/a
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
712
Atlas II Blocks
792
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
73
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
76
Percent change
103

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
-2.1%
P-value
significant, declining
Number of routes
26
Recent trend 2000-2010
-3.2%

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
0
Significantly different than zero
Trend (1963-1979)
0
Significantly different than zero
Trend (1979-2008)
0
Significantly different than zero

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Urban and Suburban

Wintering

Does not winter in Massachusetts

Climate Suitability Current and 2050