Chimney Swifts:
America's Mysterious Birds above the Fireplace
Paul D. Kyle and Georgean Z. Kyle
Illustrated by Georgean Z. Kyle
Photography by Paul D. Kyle

From the curious sounds of baby swifts chattering in the chimney to the awe-inspiring sight of birds entering their roost at dusk, like smoke swirling back into the flue, Chimney Swifts have captured the imagination of many generations of North Americans.

These sleek birds with crescent-shaped wings and acrobatic flight patterns migrate to North America from the Amazon River Basin each spring to breed and raise their young. But by the late 1980s, changes in chimney construction and homeowner attitudes had contributed to a major decline in the numbers of Chimney Swifts. Authors Paul and Georgean Kyle have worked ceaselessly in an attempt to alter that trend.

The Kyles' eight-acre homestead has become a world-renowned Chimney Swift sanctuary and research station, with more than a dozen Chimney Swift towers of various designs located throughout their property. The swifts return each spring to many of these towers, where they rear their young and where their home life is observed and recorded in previously undocumented detail.
In Chimney Swifts, the Kyles share the knowledge they have gained, providing readers with an unprecedented peek into the secret life of these beneficial, insect-eating birds. With a non-technical narrative, numerous photos, and original drawings, they explore Chimney Swift natural history and provide practical guidelines for homeowners to coexist peacefully with these remarkable spring and
summer guests.

What people are saying about this book
"This is a truly outstanding book on a fascinating subject, written by a remarkable husband and wife team who have followed their passions and devoted decades of their lives to the study, conservation, and rehabilitation of Chimney Swifts." —James R. Hill III, founder and executive director, Purple Martin Conservation Association

"With the publication of the Kyles' work we enter a new era of literature, research, and field work on the chimney swift. . . . [This book] will stand as the definitive volume on the species." — Richard B. Fischer, Cornell University

“ ...thoughly entertaining, vitally conservation relevant, and a must read for anyone concerned about conserving America’s birds. My congratulations to the authors!” — Merlin D. Tuttle, Bat Conservation International

5 3/4x8 1/2. 152 pp. 41 color and 4 b&w photos. 28 line drawings.
Hard cover 34.00 / Paper back $16.95

Chimney Swift Towers
New Habitat for America's Mysterious Birds
Paul D. Kyle and Georgean Z. Kyle

Chimney Swifts, birds that nest and roost in chimneys, have been historically abundant in North America. But by the late 1980s, the number of swifts migrating to North America from the Amazon River Basin had declined.

A growing number of people across North America are now constructing nesting towers and conducting Chimney Swift conservation projects in their own communities.

With Chimney Swift Towers, concerned bird conservationists have a step-by-step guide to help them create more habitat for these beneficial, insect-eating birds. Chimney Swift experts Paul and Georgean Kyle give directions for building freestanding wooden towers, wooden kiosk towers, masonry towers, and other structures.

Included are:

• design basics
• lists of materials needed
• useful diagrams and photographsand detailed instructions on site preparation, tower construction, installation, and maintenance

Anyone with basic woodworking or masonry skills and an interest in wildlife conservation will find this publication helpful. That includes do-it-yourselfers, homeowners involved in creating backyard habitat for wildlife, landscape and structural architects, park and wildscape managers, wildlife management area professionals, nature centers, garden centers, scout troops, and other civic organizations in search of community service projects.

Paul D, and Georgean Z. Kyle are project directors of the Driftwood Wildlife Association's North American Chimney Swift Nest Site Research Project, an all-volunteer effort to expand public awareness about the beneficial nature and the plight of Chimney Swifts. Participation across North America in this project has produced a growing number of people who are now constructing nesting towers and conducting Chimney Swift conservation projects in their own communities.

5 3/4x8 1/2. 96 pp. 36 b&w photos. 13 line drawings.

Paper back $12.95