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Chimney Swift
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Habitat and behaviour
Habitat: Open sky (extreme vagrant).
Diet: Flying insects.
Best time to spot: American; "a cigar with wings".
When to look
A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in Rare birds in the UK.
How rare is it?
The Chimney Swift sits in our Legendary tier for the UK: a major rarity, where any record is big news. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.
Recent UK sightings
No community sightings logged for this species yet. Log the first one.
Similar birds
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eaterLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
- Pacific SwiftLegendary · Open sky (extreme vagrant)
- White-throated NeedletailLegendary · Open sky
- American KestrelLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
- Amur FalconLegendary · Open country (extreme vagrant)
- Barolo ShearwaterLegendary · Open sea (extreme vagrant)
Kit that helps
Bird ID starter kit. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.
Log a Chimney Swift in your free UK Birdedex