Chimney Swifts in New Brunswick
When chimney swifts are present in New Brunswick, when they nest, which native New Brunswick plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 3a–5b yard.
- Status in New Brunswick
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 3a–5b
When to expect chimney swifts in New Brunswick
Chimney Swifts are summer residents in New Brunswick, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on flies, beetles, ants and aphids in flight.
Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.
Nesting in New Brunswick
Across New Brunswick, chimney swifts typically nest from June–July. Nest site: half-cup of twigs glued with saliva inside chimneys. Females lay 4–5 eggs, incubate for 16–21 days, and young leave the nest after 28–30 days.
Mild summers.
- Chimney Swifts don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as serviceberry, bur oak, black cherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native New Brunswick plants that attract chimney swifts
Of the regional native plants we track for New Brunswick, these 8 provide food or cover chimney swifts use:
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.
Feeding chimney swifts through the New Brunswick year
Leave an uncapped masonry chimney open April–October, or build a swift tower; populations have fallen by roughly two-thirds since 1966.
- Best foods: .
- In New Brunswick's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are chimney swifts in New Brunswick year-round?
No. Chimney Swifts are summer breeders in New Brunswick and leave for the winter.
When do chimney swifts nest in New Brunswick?
Nesting in New Brunswick typically runs June–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 16–21 days.
What native plants attract chimney swifts in New Brunswick?
Serviceberry, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Eastern white pine are native plants in New Brunswick that provide food or cover for chimney swifts.
Chimney Swifts in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Brunswick
Sources
- Chimney Swift — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Chimney Swift life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Chimney Swift — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Brunswick
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.