Chimney Swifts in North Dakota
When chimney swifts are present in North Dakota, when they nest, which native North Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–4b yard.
- Status in North Dakota
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
When to expect chimney swifts in North Dakota
Chimney Swifts are summer residents in North Dakota, 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.
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Nesting in North Dakota
Across North Dakota, 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.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
- Chimney Swifts don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as bur oak, black cherry, american elderberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native North Dakota plants that attract chimney swifts
Of the regional native plants we track for North Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover chimney swifts use:
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.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Feeding chimney swifts through the North Dakota 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 North Dakota's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are chimney swifts in North Dakota year-round?
No. Chimney Swifts are summer breeders in North Dakota and leave for the winter.
When do chimney swifts nest in North Dakota?
Nesting in North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Sugar maple, Chokecherry are native plants in North Dakota that provide food or cover for chimney swifts.
Chimney Swifts in other regions
Other backyard birds in North Dakota
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 — North Dakota
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.