Chimney Swift in April
Where chimney swifts are in April, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
April in the Chimney Swift's year
April is when spring migration hits its stride. Waves of migrants move north on warm southerly winds, wintering birds leave for good, and early nesters are already on eggs in the South. Every week brings species that weren't there the week before.
For the Chimney Swift specifically, April is a spring month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 42 states and provinces where chimney swifts occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where chimney swifts are in April
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In April, chimney swifts are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in April
Chimney swifts are not nesting in April. The season runs May–July at mid-latitudes, starting roughly a month earlier in the South.
Outside the nesting season, chimney swifts put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in April
- Flies, beetles, ants and aphids in flight
Leave an uncapped masonry chimney open April–October, or build a swift tower; populations have fallen by roughly two-thirds since 1966.
Migrants arriving after long flights are hungry — feeders can be genuine lifelines during cold, wet spells that suppress insects.
Watching chimney swifts this month
Chimney swifts are settled and predictable in April, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region chimney swifts are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Chimney Swift month by month
Chimney Swift by state
Frequently asked
Where are chimney swifts in April?
In April, chimney swifts are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do chimney swifts nest in April?
No — chimney swifts typically nest May through July at mid-latitudes.
What do chimney swifts eat in April?
Flies, beetles, ants and aphids in flight.
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
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.