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),
South East Asia's swiftlets (Collocalia species) is one of the most unique birds in the world. They have very
short bills, wide mouth, small and weak feet, and long crescent shaped wings. Their size is about that of a sparrow with wingspan
wider than that of a pigeon. They have a very strong ability of flight; in fact they are the fastest fliers known, averaging
at 140 kph with a top speed of up to 170kph and capable of a 40-hour non-stop flight.
They never perch or rest except when they are sleeping, building their nests or feeding their young. Swiftlets
feeds on insects caught in flight. The monogamous parents lay 2 eggs (sometimes one) incubated by both parents for 21 to 29
days. The chicks will remain inside the nest for about 45 days, before they are fully independent from their parents. The
average longevity of the bird is estimated at 12 years (but varies from 8 to 15 years).
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But the most interesting thing about these swiftlets is their nest. They will construct their nest with glutinous
strands of starched like saliva produced by a pair of large, salivary glands under their tongue and thereafter mate and breed
their young. It is this nest material that sets them apart from all other birds in the world. The nest looks like a cupped
hand or a crescent shaped bowl about 3-5” in diameter. The flat side is stuck to a wall (a cave wall in wild nests,
or a wooden base in cultivated/house nests) and the other side of the nest is a place for them to perch and within the hollow
of the nest are either their eggs or their chicks.
The history of bird's nest consumption can be traced back to China nearly 1500 years ago during the Tang
Dynasty period (A.D. 618-907). It was believed that bird's nest had been brought back from 'Nanyang' (the southern countries),
by chinese sailors and introduced to the courts of the China's Emperor as a supreme delicacy (due to the rich nutritional
value). During that era, only the family of the Emperor and his court officials has the privilege of consuming the highly
priced bird's nest. It was at the end of the Emperor rule, that the common people were introduced to bird's nest and the value
and demand for bird's nest remains sky high due to its rarity and nutritional properties.
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Nowadays, the primary target for this product is the Chinese community around
the world, with Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan the top consumers followed by the U.S., Singapore and all the other South
East Asian countries.
“food of the emperor,” or the “caviar
of the East.”
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Bird's Nest has been a prestigious and a status symbol kind of food for
Chinese families for hundreds of years. It was considered the best food for the Imperial family in the past Chinese Dynasties.
Today, Bird's Nest is still considered prestigious food by upper class Chinese families and appreciated for its health benefits,
for example diners at a certain Hong Kong restaurant are willing to pay dearly for the highest quality nests -- almost US$60.00
per bowl of bird's nest soup! Although there is stable demand from this consumer, the peak season of demand comes during the
Chinese New Year period. Gift giving of Bird's Nest is especially popular during this period as it wishes the receiver good
health and longevity of life as well as symbolizing the givers affluence.
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