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Swifts have a short bill, small, weak feet, and long, crescent-shaped
wings which are built for speed. They are some of the fastest flying
birds known. Swifts fly almost continuously during the day except
in heavy rain.
Chimney Swift
The best known North American swift is the chimney swift. It is
sooty brown above and lighter beneath, usually attaining a length
of 5.5 inches. genders are similar. The Chimney Swift is the only
swift known in the eastern part of the United States.
Swifts feed mainly on flies, mosquitoes and other small insects.
During migration they roost by the hundreds in tall chimneys.
Bird's Nest Soup
Swifts nest along vertical surfaces, building their nests of various materials
glued together with a cement like substance secreted from their salivary
glands.
Some species of the Oriental swiftlet make their nests entirely of this
secretion, which is the principal ingredient of so-called birds'
nest soup.
4 to 5 mainly white eggs are laid.
Picture Chimney Swift
![](chimney_swift.jpg)
Swifts belong to the family Apodidae in the order Apodiformes.
Types of North American Swifts:
Black Swift
Chimney Swift
White Throated Swift
Vaux's Swift
Listing of North American Birds