SWIFTLET the X-FACTOR
of Swift Birds
In this post, I will describe about the swiftlet which is the “X-factor” among the swift bird species. Through scientific research, Swiftlet are birds contained within the four genera (genus) which are Aerodramus, Hydrochous, Schoutedenapus and Collocalia. They form the Collocaliini tribe within the swift family which is highly-flying-bird species, Apodidae. The group contains around thirty species mostly confined to southern Asia, south Pacific islands, and north eastern Australia, all within the tropical and subtropical regions. As explained in the previous post, the typical members of the Apodidae are having narrow wings for fast flight, with a wide gape and small reduced beak surrounded by bristles for catching insects in flight. What distinguishes many but not all species from other swifts and indeed almost all other birds is their ability to use a simple but effective form of echolocation to navigate in total darkness through the chasms and shafts of the caves where they roost at night and breed. But, the main attractions of swiflets are their nests built entirely from threads of their saliva, and are collected for the famous Chinese delicacy bird's nest soup. The nest is highly regarded as highly-nutritional-value cuisines. No wonder the smallest of the birds can attract humans, right?
A little swiftlet in its diamond-value-like nest. It is cute isn’t?
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