Seven young Chimney Swifts that had been raised at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville were released Tuesday evening. The birds joined the swifts currently roosting in the chimney of a school in Plymouth. Several observers joined Jessika Madison-Kennedy from the rehab center to wait for dusk and the appearance of the wild birds. As they swooped over and around the chimney, the young birds were taken by hand and gently tossed into the air. In a few seconds they were part of the circling flock. The photos show five of the birds as they clung to a sheet of wood. The second photo shows the spines at the end of tail feathers. The spines help anchor the birds as they use long, sharp talons on their toes to cling to the surface they choose for nesting or roosting. Chimney Swifts don't perch, nor do they come to ground. They are aerial feeders, not in flight only when at the nest or roosting. The swifts at this time of year, preparing for migration, gather in flocks that use a common roost. The chimney at the release site has held in recent days as many as 350 swifts. The birds hover over the chimney opening, and flutter their way down to spend the night clinging to the chimney walls.
