They fly fast and erratically. Sometimes the fast and rapid movements give the visual impression that the wings are not always synchronized. Swifts are known to fly basically anywhere. They do not, however, walk or hop. Vaux's swifts do not appear to be very territorial.
Swifts do indeed chase each other often, but for the most part during mating season.
Habitat Vaux's Swifts generally can be found in old-growth forests consisting of coniferous and deciduous vegetation. Very important to swifts' nesting grounds are large, hollow trees that are either dead or alive. During the breeding season, Vaux's swifts occupy forests of coast redwood and Douglas firs. They forage for food in naturally occuring openings in the forest and along streams as well as high above the tree-tops. In the Yucatan, swifts have been seen nesting on the sides of limestone wells.