Jerusalem holy sites shelter ancient swift nesting colonies
NPR reports that common swifts still nest at the Western Wall, even as missile strikes and modern construction threaten nesting sites.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Common swifts have used cracks in Jerusalem’s Western Wall and other holy sites as nesting places for thousands of years, NPR’s Ruth Sherlock reported. The colonies show how urban buildings can sustain wildlife, even as missile strikes and newer construction reduce the places where the birds can raise young.
Sherlock reported seeing dozens of swift nests at the Western Wall this spring. The birds, known for their curved, scythe-like wings, have become part of the soundscape around the site, where worshippers’ prayers mingle with their calls.
According to NPR, the relationship runs both ways. People visiting and praying at the holy sites have adjusted to the birds’ presence, while the swifts have learned to live close to humans by using gaps, ledges and openings in buildings and stone structures.
Common swifts return each year after migrating thousands of miles, NPR reported. They come back to the same city, town or village and reunite with mates they keep for life before nesting again.
At the Western Wall, the birds use small spaces in the ancient stones. NPR reported that similar nesting behavior occurs at other holy sites in Jerusalem, where old masonry and irregular surfaces provide the kind of shelter that swifts need.
The birds face pressure beyond Jerusalem. NPR reported that Iranian missile strikes in Israel this year disturbed nesting locations. Across Europe, common swift populations are also declining, with modern construction playing a role.
Newer buildings often leave swifts with fewer openings, according to NPR. Smooth glass towers and sealed homes do not offer the cracks and cavities that older buildings provide, making it harder for the birds to find safe places to nest.
The fixes can be modest, NPR reported. A wooden nesting box or a hollow brick can create usable space for swifts when natural gaps or older masonry are unavailable.
Once nesting, swifts often gather in fast-flying groups around buildings, NPR reported. Their loud, high-pitched calls have given the behavior the name “screaming party.”
According to NPR, the group flights serve several purposes, including encouraging young birds to leave the nest and take flight. For a species that returns across long distances to the same human settlements, the availability of small nesting spaces can determine whether those annual arrivals continue.
This story draws on original reporting from NPR.