Zurich Buildings Host 1,859 Bird Nesting Sites.

The city of Zurich has recorded 1,859 bird breeding sites on buildings, highlighting the importance of urban areas for wildlife conservation. Volunteers spent several years identifying nesting locations for species such as common swifts, Alpine swifts, house martins, and barn swallows, helping authorities better understand and protect these vulnerable bird populations.

Common swifts are the most widespread species in Zurich, with 1,176 breeding pairs documented. Alpine swifts and house martins each account for around 190 breeding pairs, while barn swallows, jackdaws, and kestrels are less frequently found. Many of these birds nest in colonies, with dozens of pairs sharing a single site.

Between 2023 and 2025, volunteers discovered hundreds of additional nesting locations, including 354 new sites for common swifts. These findings have significantly expanded Zurich’s inventory of urban breeding habitats.

To support future conservation efforts, the city has launched a new online reporting platform that allows residents to submit bird observations. The collected information helps authorities monitor populations and implement targeted protection measures for endangered nesting sites.

Bird conservation groups have warned that populations of swifts, swallows, and martins are declining across Switzerland due to the loss of nesting spaces on buildings and a reduction in insect populations. Renovation and construction projects often destroy hidden nesting sites located behind roofs, facades, and gutters.

Zurich authorities emphasize that all identified building-nesting bird species are considered potentially endangered. The current inventory represents only a minimum estimate, as many nesting sites remain hidden from view. Continued public participation and conservation efforts will play a key role in safeguarding these important urban bird populations for future generations.