From the curious sounds of baby swifts chattering in the chimney to 
the awe-inspiring sight of birds entering their roost at dusk, like smoke 
swirling back into the flue, Chimney Swifts have captured the 
imagination of many generations of North Americans.

    These sleek birds with crescent-shaped wings and acrobatic flight 
patterns migrate to North America from the Amazon River Basin each 
spring to breed and raise their young. But by the late 1980s, changes 
in chimney construction and homeowner attitudes had contributed to
a major decline in the numbers of Chimney Swifts. Authors Paul and 
Georgean Kyle have worked ceaselessly in an attempt to alter that 
trend.

    The Kyles' eight-acre homestead has become a world-renowned 
Chimney Swift sanctuary and research station, with more than a 
dozen Chimney Swift towers of various designs located throughout 
their property. The swifts return each spring to many of these towers, 
where they rear their young and where their home life is observed and 
recorded in previously undocumented detail.

    In Chimney Swifts, the Kyles share the knowledge they have 
gained, providing readers with an unprecedented peek into the secret 
life of these beneficial, insect-eating birds. With a non-technical 
narrative, numerous photos, and original drawings, they explore 
Chimney Swift natural history and provide practical guidelines for 
homeowners to coexist peacefully with these remarkable spring and 
summer guests.

_________________________________________________________

PAUL D. KYLE and GEORGEAN Z. KYLE are project directors of the 
Driftwood Wildlife Association's North American Chimney Swift Nest 
Site Research Project, an all-volunteer effort to expand public 
awareness about the beneficial nature and the plight of Chimney 
Swifts. Participation across North America in this project has 
produced a growing number of people who are now constructing 
nesting towers and conducting Chimney Swift conservation projects 
in their own communities.


Number Thirty-seven: Louise Lindsey Merrick Natural Environment 
Series


What people are saying about this book

“Excellent photographs and line drawings are interspaced to 
augment the text. Their presentation is eminently readable and 
factual.”—The Quarterly Review of Biology, Volume 82

"Birders who read the book will never look at swifts the same way 
again."—Birder's World Magazine, April 2006

"Paul & Georgean,

"I recently purchased and read your excellent new book, Chimney 
Swifts: America's Mysterious Birds above the Fireplace. Just 
wanted you to know that your book saved a family of chimney swifts.

"I built a house in Boerne, Texas four years ago and it has a stone 
chimney. Every Summer since we moved in we have experienced 
quite a racket coming from our chimney. I figured the noise was 
from birds but not sure of the type. I knew their was a nest involved 
because of the squawking of the little ones at feeding time.

"I didn't disturb the birds but wasn't sure I was ready to put up with 
all the noise every year.  After the second year I went up on the 
roof in the Winter and placed some wire (actually some leftover 
fencing with 4 inch squares) over the chimney. In the Spring of 
the following year I noticed birds circling over the chimney for 
several days. I figured I had successfully blocked their entrance 
into the chimney.  Then, after a few more days, I started feeling 
guilty and went back on the roof to remove the wiring. When I 
peered down the chimney their were two birds sitting on a nest 
staring back at me. Seems like my chimney cover wasn't a 
deterrent after all. I left them alone and soon enough the sounds 
of nestlings could be heard.

"I still wasn't sure what exactly I had in my chimney—friend or foe, 
benefit or pest, native or invader. I asked around and several 
people confirmed that I had Chimney Swifts. Most of these people 
suggested I cap my fireplace. Some suggested that the birds 
carried diseases that could now easily get into my house.

"Before I reacted, I did some research and bought your book. 
You have opened my eyes. The birds can stay forever and a little 
noise is really a small price to pay for having the privilege of 
these fine birds as part of my home.

"Since then I have also joined the local Texas Master Naturalist 
organization to see what else I have been missing and how else 
I can help out.

"Just wanted to say thanks."—Scott Peacock, a satisfied customer

"I highly recommend their excellent book on some of North 
America’s most fascinating birds."—Victor Emanuel, Victor 
Emanuel Nature Tours

"I found Chimney Swifts to be thoroughly entertaining, vitally 
conservation relevant, and a must-read for anyone concerned 
about conserving America's birds. After this glimpse into their 
unique lives and needs, one simply wants to help. My 
congratulations to the authors!"—Merlin D. Tuttle, Founder/
President, Bat Conservation International

". . . a delight to read."—Keith Arnold, Texas A&M University 

"This is a truly outstanding book . . . written by a remarkable 
husband and wife team who have followed their passions and 
devoted decades of their lives to the study, conservation, and 
rehabilitation of Chimney Swifts."—James R. Hill III, founder and 
executive director, Purple Martin Conservation Association

"With the publication of the Kyles' work we enter a new era of 
literature, research, and field work on the chimney swift. . . . 
[This book] will stand as the definitive volume on the species."
—Richard B. Fischer, Cornell University