The remodeling of buildings in the historic centers of towns and cities is one of the main causes of local decline and extinction. The substitution of traditional materials for modern elements and new construction techniques mean the destruction of traditional nesting areas. Restored and newly constructed buildings do not have cavities that can be used by birds. Often times, the works coincide with the time when the birds are incubating or feeding their young.
Identifying nesting sites in our towns and cities is the first step to prevent the disappearance of swifts. Knowing the nesting places, guidelines can be applied so that the rehabilitation of buildings conserves the holes where swifts nest and ensures that no works are carried out during the nesting period. Nest boxes can be installed in buildings to replace destroyed nests and to encourage new pairs to breed. It is vital that municipalities, architects, surveyors, corporate and private owners participate in the preservation of common swift colonies.