Hundreds, sometimes THOUSANDS, of birds.

One chimney! 😮 These fascinating birds spend much of their lives in flight and rely on chimneys for nesting and communal roosting. Historically, they nested and roosted in hollow trees, but as old-growth forests were cleared, many adapted to using chimneys as a substitute habitat. Today, Chimney Swifts face growing challenges from habitat loss, development, and the removal of chimneys. This video is of an abandoned Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools building that has become an important nesting and roosting site for these birds, highlighting why preserving existing chimneys can make a real difference for wildlife. The North Carolina Wildlife Federation is working with community partners to raise awareness about Chimney Swifts and the importance of protecting their habitat. By understanding their needs and working together, we can help these remarkable birds continue to thrive in North Carolina.