ON THE WING: The Swifts of Chapman School
Grades 4-12, Science; 30 minutes.

The film tells the story of tiny birds called Vaux Swifts that, since the early 1980’s, have taken up residence in the chimney of a Portland, Oregon elementary school during the month of September.  Each night during the Swifts’ residency, thousands of them fill the sky above Chapman Elementary School. Just before sunset, the birds form a dramatic vortex and dive into the chimney in an amazing aerial display. In years past, the flock has been estimated to be the largest collection of roosting Swifts in North America at nearly 40,000 birds.

Since the early 1990’s, the event has become a cult phenomenon in Portland, drawing hundreds and sometimes thousands of onlookers nightly to watch the stunning display. The crowd behaves as a hybrid of college football fans and a symphony orchestra audience.

On the Wing captures the community, energy and excitement of the entire Swifts experience.

The film documents the birds’ 2007 residency. Interviews with crowd members, Chapman Elementary faculty and neighbors, Audubon Society of Portland staff and a cast of characters explain how the phenomenon came to be and how it has evolved into what it is today. Amazing footage of the birds, including a view from inside the chimney, will give audiences an extraordinary, never-before-seen view of the Swifts.