Edible-nest Swiftlet

Overview

The edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus), also known as the white-nest swiftlet, is a small bird of the swift family found in Southeast Asia. Its opaque and whitish nest is made exclusively of solidified saliva and serves as the main ingredient in bird's nest soup, a delicacy of Chinese cuisine. Germain's swiftlet (Aerodramus germani) is now treated as conspecific with this species.

Identification

• Generally medium-sized with a slender body length of 14 cm and a weight of 15 to 18 g.
• Upperparts are blackish-brown, while underparts range in colour from white to blackish-brown.
• Features long, narrow swept-back wings resembling a crescent in flight, with a short tail that has a slight notch.
• Bill and feet are black; legs are very short with tarsi usually unfeathered or lightly feathered.

Habitat

Found in Southeast Asia, including regions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and parts of the Philippines. These birds feed over a range of habitats from coastal areas to the mountains, occurring up to 2,800 metres above sea-level, generally above forests, forest edges, or in open country. They breed in colonies in coastal areas, limestone caves, rock crevices, cliff clefts, or sometimes on buildings.

Diet

The diet consists of flying insects that are caught on the wing, and the birds also drink on the wing. They often feed in large flocks alongside other species of swiftlet and swallow.

Did you know?

These swifts emit a specific rattling call used for echolocation, which enables them to locate nesting sites in the complete darkness of caves.