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| Swiftlet Bird |
Swiftlet Bird | These Small Birds Make Edible Nests
You will be surprised to know that in this world the nests of birds are also eaten and this is a fact. This bird named Swiftlet Bird is famous all over the world because of its nests. These small birds living in Southeast Asia make edible nests and these nests are used to make soup.
These birds make their nests with saliva and these nests are built on the sides of caves or on man-made places like buildings. These birds make their nests with their saliva and other elements like leaves, twigs, feathers and straws which harden on coming in contact with air. Apart from this, some nests of these birds are considered an important part of Asian food.
The nests of these birds are cut by hand and the price of edible nests has made it a lucrative business in some parts of Asia. Let's know about these birds, where do these birds live, what do birds eat, how do birds make nests and how long do birds live.
Where Are Swiftlet Found
Swiftlets are small-sized birds that can mostly be seen in South Asia, South Pacific Islands and Australia. These birds are mostly found in South Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia (India) and Sri Lanka, Philippines and also in Northeast Australia.
Swiftlets are a member of the Apodidae family and have about 30 species. This bird is a tropical and subtropical bird species that can also be seen living in central China. Swiftlets can also be seen in the Himalayan mountains and many other mountains at sea level in India.
These magnificent birds have sharp wings and a small beak. Swiftlets roost at night in dark places like caves. The interesting fact is that these birds find the right place in the dark through sound waves. Apart from this, these birds also build their nests in dark places.
Swiftlet Scientific Name
The swiftlet bird's scientific name is Aerodramus fuciphagus and it belongs to the Apodidae family and is derived from the Greek word apous which means legless. The name refers to the small and weak legs of these birds. Swiftlet bird nests are collected by collectors because they are edible.
Edible nests, also known as the caviar of the East, are made from protein-rich saliva by swiftlet birds and are collected due to this fact. Swiftlet bird nests are considered to be one of the most expensive food products in the world. These nests have served as medicinal and rejuvenating benefits in Chinese culture and are an important part of China's popular bird's nest soup.
Swiftlet Habitat
This bird named Swiftlet is known for its unusual and harsh habitat as it prefers to make its home in cave-like habitats, like craters or behind waterfalls. Swiftlets do not form colonies in these caves, instead it co-exists with bats.
Oilbirds These birds do not live in caves because they cannot find their way in dark caves while flying, but Swiftlet birds solve the problem of these birds. In dark caves, Swiftlet birds find the right place through sound waves in the dark.
Swiftlet birds make their habitat with bats in caves and to protect themselves from predators, these birds prefer to live in groups. In habitats where there are no cannibals, most swiftlet birds fly alone and slowly. Read- Hooded Pitohui | Interesting facts about the poisonous bird
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| Swiftlet Bird |
How Do Swiftlet Look Like
Swiftlet birds are small in size and appear light yellow in color with brown to black feathers. Some species have white or brown stripes and all the behavioral changes are seen in flight as well. The beak of these birds is short and opens wide while catching insects during flight. The size of swiftlets can also vary according to different species.
Among the swiftlet species, the pygmy swiftlet weighs about 5.4 grams while the giant swiftlet weighs about 35 grams. All swiftlets, except the Papuan swiftlet, have four toes without a hallux. Swiftlets have short feet so it is difficult for them to perch but they can easily stick to surfaces.
Swiftlet Length
Swiftlet is a medium-sized bird with a length of about 13 cm and a weight of about 11 grams. Apart from this, the wingspan of swiftlet birds is about 27 cm.
What Do Swiftlet Eat
Swiftlet is an insectivorous bird species and their food consists of hymenopterans, homopterans and dipterans. Swiftlet birds are active during the day and return to their roosts at night. Swiftlet birds feed their babies boluses which are a combination of saliva.
Swiftlet Nests
These birds named swiftlet are monogamous and both male and female birds take care of their children. One of the most unique features of these birds is that swiftlets use saliva to build their nests. Only some birds in their species use saliva to build nests and some birds use other materials such as feathers and twigs.
The males of their species display in flight to attract females. The breeding season of swiftlets is when the insect population increases. The nesting location of birds depends on the species.
For example, Aerodramus fuciphagus swiftlets lay only 1 or 2 eggs. These eggs are pale white in color and the incubation period is between 21-28 days. Apart from this, some of their species Aves prefer to build their nest on cave walls and shady corners. Swiftlets living in temperate regions migrate to other places and Aerodramus prefer the tropical region.
Aerodramus does not migrate during the migration season and this species mostly stays in one cave or other roosting places. Some of the caves where these birds live are Malaysian Borneo, Niah Caves and Gunung Mulu National Park. The babies of swiftlets leave the nest after 38 days.
How Long Do Swiftlet Live
The life span of a swiftlet in the wild is between 15 and 18 years.
How Fast Can Swiftlet Fly
Swiftlets have fast flight feathers and the flight speed is about 23 kilometers per hour. Apart from this, their fastest speed is 111 kilometers per hour. Let us also tell you that the fastest bird in the world is the Peregrine Falcon which can fly at a speed of 322 to 390 kilometers per hour which is about 4 times the speed of swiftlets.
How Do Swiftlet Communicate
Most species of swiftlets use sound waves in dark caves and these birds make a rattle-like sound consisting of a row of small clicks. Earlier it was believed that only a few birds of the genus Aerodramus use sound waves but later it was discovered that small swiftlets also use the same process to communicate in low environments.
How Many Swiftlet Are There In The World
These birds have a very large range and are locally common. In some places, these birds are abundant within that range and their population numbers have not been determined but are believed to be stable. Apart from this, these birds do not face any particular threats and are considered as Least Concern by the IUCN. Read- Green Jay Interesting Facts And Information With Picture
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| Swiftlet Bird |
Behavior Of Swiftlet
All species of swiftlets do not have a dangerous behavior and these birds are friendly and peaceful. It is difficult to keep swiftlets as pets because these birds prefer to live in dark environments.
Swiftlet Facts For Kids
1. Why are swiftlet nests so expensive?
Swiftlet nests are soaked and methodically plucked to remove feathers and droppings. The nests are then air-dried and packaged. The time-consuming labor makes the nests so expensive.
2. Why do people eat swiftlet nests?
Nests are particularly prized in Chinese cuisine due to their protein content and rich flavor. They are also among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans and cost as much as $4,300 per pound, depending on grading.
3. Where do swiftlet birds live?
Swiftlet birds are any of several species of cave-dwelling birds belonging to the swift family, Apodidae, and can be seen from Southeast Asia and the Malay Peninsula through the Philippines and east to the islands of the South Pacific.
4. How much does a swiftlet nest cost?
Swiftlet bird nests cost anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 per kilogram. Edible nest soup is made from the nests of cave-dwelling swifts.
5. What does swiftlet nest taste like?
Swiftlets use their saliva to make nests so this dish has a slightly salty taste.
6. How do swiftlets mate?
The males perform displays in the air to attract females and mating takes place in the nest. The breeding season of these birds coincides with the wet season which coincides with the rising insect population. The size of the nest depends on the location and the source of food, but it is generally not large.
7. What are some interesting facts about swiftlets?
Swiftlet birds have four claws except the Papuan swiftlet, which does not have a hind claw. Swiftlets have very short legs which prevent the birds from perching but allow them to cling to vertical surfaces.
8. How big are swiftlets?
The swiftlet is a medium-sized bird with a length of about 13 cm and weighs about 11 grams. Apart from this, the wingspan of swiftlet birds is about 27 cm.
9. Where are swiftlets found?
This bird is mostly found in the South Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia (India) and Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and also in northeastern Australia.
10. How big are Indian swiftlets?
The Indian swiftlets are a small, brown bird and are about 12 cm in length that can be seen in western India and throughout Sri Lanka.