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Fun and games

Swift hunting insects

Swifts are amazing birds, aren't they? Here are a few reasons why:

  • After leaving the nest where they hatched, they'll keep flying non-stop for three years!
  • They even eat, mate and sleep in the air - they can 'snooze' with one side of their brain at once, and then switch to the other side
  • Some of 'our' swifts migrate as far as South Africa for winter
  • Parent swifts gather insect snacks for their chicks, carrying as many as 1,000 at once. Gulp!
  • Swifts like to live in our houses and churches - they squeeze through tiny gaps to nest inside roofs
  • You can help by putting in a special swift nestbox

We've got some brilliant swift games for you to download and make.

Have fun!

Bird guide

Downloads

  • Swift finger puppet (120Kb)
    Colour in and cut out your own swift finger puppet, but when you're playing, don't scream too loudly...!
  • Swift feeding game (164Kb)
    Can you catch the insect as well as a swift can? Have fun trying! This works best printed onto A3 paper.