Chimney Swifts in Quebec
When chimney swifts are present in Quebec, when they nest, which native Quebec plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–5b yard.
- Status in Quebec
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–5b
When to expect chimney swifts in Quebec
Chimney Swifts are summer residents in Quebec, 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 in the St. Lawrence valley, boreal forest to the north, tundra in Nunavik.
Nesting in Quebec
Across Quebec, 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.
Warm, humid summers in the south.
- Chimney Swifts don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as serviceberry, white oak, bur oak for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Quebec plants that attract chimney swifts
Of the regional native plants we track for Quebec, these 8 provide food or cover chimney swifts use:
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
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.
Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.
Feeding chimney swifts through the Quebec 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 Quebec's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are chimney swifts in Quebec year-round?
No. Chimney Swifts are summer breeders in Quebec and leave for the winter.
When do chimney swifts nest in Quebec?
Nesting in Quebec 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 Quebec?
Serviceberry, White oak, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Eastern white pine are native plants in Quebec that provide food or cover for chimney swifts.
Chimney Swifts in other regions
Other backyard birds in Quebec
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 — Quebec
- 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.