Why play swift calls?

Playing swift calls plays a crucial role in attracting swifts to new nesting sites. Swifts respond to colony sounds, and juveniles seeking nests will investigate when they hear these calls.
If you already have artificial nests – but have had no interest – adding a swift caller and playing calls consistently will increase your chance of attracting prospecting swifts.

What is a swift caller?

These callers are made up of:

• Use a plug timer or Bluetooth smart timer to automate playing the calls at set intervals

How to make your own swift caller

You can make your own caller. Our friends at Chirk Swifts have a great instruction video here.

• Downloadable MP3 swift calls can be found at the end of this page.

Where can I buy a swift caller?

Please contact the supplier to discuss specifications before making your purchase. 

Peak Boxes Standard Caller – £64 plus £8 delivery. Guaranteed for 2 years. Optional extras: additional speaker, extra cabling: 

Nestworks – £30 plus delivery:

Chirk Swifts – £28 inc postage:

Kendall Men in Sheds  –  Micro caller – £24 plus delivery:

Solar Powered Callers 

Solar powered callers suit commercial or service buildings like schools, as they require no wiring or PAT testing. They’re also ideal for remote locations like swift towers or churches with no electricity supply. 

Peak Boxes Solar Powered caller – £160 plus £13 delivery – Includes a built-in battery and is controlled via a mobile app: 

Kendal Men in Sheds – Solar powered caller £140 plus delivery:

Timer Switches 

Standard or Smart Plug timer switches are available online from £4.99

When should I play calls?

For guidance, you can download our PDF using the below link:

Play calls from mid-May through to the end of August. Using a plug timer automate call playback for:

• 2 hours after sunrise
• 2 hours before sunset
• 10 minutes at hourly intervals throughout the day

How loudly should I play calls?

Loud enough for swifts to hear – without disrupting neighbours. 

When and where should I position the caller?

• The easiest (and most affordable) time to install your caller is at the same time as you are providing a new nest place for swifts.
• Position the speaker as close to the entrance hole as possible, as swifts seemingly ‘zero in’ on the calls.
• If you’re using Nestworks (based in the Sheffield area) to install your artificial nests, your caller will be fitted free of charge providing it’s fitted at the same time. A £60 fee applies if installed later.

When to stop playing calls

• During prolonged periods of bad weather
• Once all your artificial nests are occupied
• If you’ve experienced problems with predators or fights in your artificial nests

Additional Tips

• Playing calls from a nearby open window or a Bluetooth speaker can be a simple alternative if fitting a caller is difficult – though it’s less effective. 
• Downloadable MP3 swift calls can be found at the end of this page.
• Engage neighbours by explaining the calls, and encourage them to install a nest too – swifts love company – share our details so we can advise on the best, most affordable nest for their home.
• Patience is needed, some sites attract swifts in the first season, but many take longer.

Downloadable Swift Calls

If you are making your own caller, wish to update old systems, or play calls via a Bluetooth speaker, download the MP3 files below and transfer them to your device. 

Call one:

Call two (Swift Duets):

We’d appreciate your feedback –  to aid future conservation efforts – do please share your experiences with us.

Good luck!