Getting to Know Bird's Nest

Edible bird's nest is the nest made purely of swiftlet's saliva secretion. This nest is usually found in caves near shoreline cliffs or under eaves of house and is hand-collected. Hairs and filth are then removed from the nest before manufacturing.

The Swiftlet bird (scientifically named Collocalia, known as Walet in Indonesia) belongs to the Apodidae family, which is not the same as the common Swallow bird. Swiftlet birds live in flocks along tropical seaside and consume wild insects. From the appearance, Swiftlet differs from the so called "House Swallow" size wise. The average body length of a Swiftlet is 9 centimeters, about half the size of a Swallow.

Swiftlet has a shorter and rectangular-sharped tail while Swallow has a longer and forked tail.

The average life span of a Swiftlet is about 15 to 18 years. Its age influences the quality of its nest. In general, the older the bird is, the more simmer-tolerant the nest is.