About swallow nest, swiftlet, edible bird’s nest

About Swiftlet

November 30th, 2005

About Swiftlet

Edible bird nest, also known as swiftlet nest, is made by certain species of the swiftlet family. The nest sometimes was known as Swiftlet nest. During breeding season, the male swiftlet construct their nest with glutinous strands of starched like saliva produced by a pair of large, salivary glands under their tongue. The nest looks like a cupped hand or a half cut bowl about 3-5 inches in diameter.

There are many species of swiftlet family around the world but not all species of swiftlet can produce edible nest. Only 5 species from the family of Apodidae known scientifically as Collocalia Fuciphaga (White-nest Swiftlet), Collocalia Maxima (Black-nest Swiftlet),

Collocalia Esculenta (Grass-nest Swiftlet), Collocalia Vanikorensis (Mossy-nest Swiftlet), and Collocalia Brevirostris (Himalayan Swiftlet) can construct edible nest. Only the first three main edible nest producing swiftlet will be mentioned.

Entry Filed under: Articles