Swift populations have declined by over 50% as modern buildings eliminate nest sites. Installing swift bricks and boxes during renovation can halt and reverse losses.
Individual swifts face nest site loss from building renovation without swift-friendly mitigation. Swifts are strongly site-faithful — birds return to the same nest year after year, and loss of nest sites forces birds to search for alternatives which may not be found. Grounded swifts unable to take off from flat surfaces face starvation and predation without human intervention. Successful nest box programmes require appropriate box type, aspect and height, combined with call lure use during the season when prospecting birds are most active.