Health Benefits

Birds’ nest has been used for a long time in traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries. It is classified as a cold food or “ying” according to the Chinese food concept.Birds’ nest is mostly composed of water-soluble protein that is easily absorbed by human body. The total protein content is about 65 percent. The other constituents are moisture (~ 10%), traces of fat (~23.3%), and carbohydrate (~0.8%). Other minerals present are calcium and iron. The total content of Amino acid in birds’ nest is approximately 6 percent. Amino acids isolated from birds’ nest consist of amide, humin, arginine, cystine, histidine, and lysine. It is possible that when taken with other certain foods through a cooking process,such as ginseng (as a hot food or “yang”), may have high nutritive and therapeutic value to human body.Birds’ nest is regarded as having a wide range of tonic and medical values. Traditionally, it is believed that birds’ nest can strengthen the lungs and use in the curing and strengthening of body in diseases related to weak blood, body overheat, and other bronchion ailments. Consumption of bird nest is also recommended to complement other treatments to combat degenerative diseases such as cancer and also for recovering health after illness, or surgery. Recent studies in Hong Kong suggested that it may even be useful in the treatment of AIDS.

It is also claimed that Bird's nest contains elements which can stimulate cell growth and especially beneficial to elderly recovering from various body ailments. Birds’ nest is especially valued by ladies for its reported properties of making the skin delicate and growing radiantly. It is also mentioned that an expectant mother consuming bird nests would have a baby with fine and smooth complexion.

The Species of Swiflet

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.

Collocalia Fuciphaga Species

Also known scientifically as Aerodromus Fuciphagus, this specie is popularly known as the White Nest or House Nest swiftlet. They construct their nests with a glutinous nest-cement produced by a pair of large, lobed salivary glands under the tongue. It is this nest-cement that constitutes the raw material of bird’s nest soup and renders the nest its commercial importance. The glutinous strands content in the nest of this species is about 85-97% in its unprocessed form, making it the most sought after in the market as well as commanding the highest price. Most if not all bird’s nest farm cultivate this particular specie.
C.Fuciphaga measures about 12 cm in its entire length and weighs about 15 to 18 gm. This swiftlet has a band of brownish gray feathers across the rump with dark brown eyes, black beak and feet. Eggs are laid 2 at a time, slightly oval in shape and white in colour.


Collocalia Maxima Species

Also known scientifically as Aerodromus Maxima, this species’ popular name is Black-nest Swiftlet because it uses its brown feather together with its glutinous strands as cement for making its nest, thereby making its nest blackish in colour. Its feet have feathers all over and thus contribute in the formation of its nest. The glutinous strands content in this nest is only 5-15% in its unprocessed form.


This nest is very popular in making bottled or canned bird’s nest, and sold most popularly in cake form or as strips and crumbs.C.Maxima is larger than the Fuciphaga measuring averagely at 13 cm and weighs about 28 gm. At a glance this 2 specie might look the same but on closer examination they are quite different. The distinguishing difference is its lower leg grows a row of small feathers. This swiftlets nests can be the red-legged or white-legged form and usually lays one egg.



Collocalia Esculenta Species

Its popular name is Grass Nest as it uses grass with its glutinous strands as cement for making its nest. The nest is normally brownish in colour with the glutinous strands content at about 5-15% in its unprocessed form. This swiftlet nest is highly demanded for restaurant consumption and is sold most popularly as strips or in crumbs and cake form.C.Esculenta has a glossy, darkish blue-black colour and is smaller than C.Fuciphaga and C.Maxima measuring only about 10 cm in length.

All these species has slightly parted tails. Good quality nests from these species can be distinguished by the firm, white basal attachments and a comparatively large proportion of nest-cement with few feathers or grasses in the nest-cup, a thick body and in perfect shape, form as well as colour.

Recommended Book "Field Guide to the Birds of Java and Bali "

= Field Guide to the Birds of Java and Bali =
Paperback: 390 pages
Publisher: Gadjah Mada University Press (1988)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9794200921
ISBN-13: 978-9794200926
Average Customer Review: 5 star


Locations Mentioned in Text:
1. Jakarta (Muara Anke). 2. Cibodas/Gunung Gede-Pangrango. 3. Pelabuhan Ratu. 4. Carita (Curug Gendang). 5. Pangandaran. 6. Yogyakarta (Candi Borobudur).. [PS: Bogor is between Jakarta and Cibodas; Segara Anakan is just east of Pangandaran.]

On the second day it rained all day; did very little at Carita. Birding highlights: Streaked Weaver. Refused entry to Cerug Gendang (waterfall reserve) by PHPA guard, on advice that the track was washed out.

Third day, Daniel Philippe came down from Jakarta, and got us past the guard with his excellent language skills. Birded Cerug Gendang (lowland rainforest). Birding highlights: Grey-rumped Treeswift, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Javan Sunbird, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Greater Green Leafbird, Blue-winged Leafbird, Little Spiderhunter, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, (Javan Lutung). Returned to Jakarta with Daniel