Nest construction and egg‐laying in Edible‐nest Swiftlets <i>Aerodramus</i> spp. and the implications for harvesting

Kang, Nelu; Hails, C. J.; Sigurdsson, J. B.

doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.1991.tb04828.x

Cited by 44 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…This variation may be due to effects of climate (e.g., rainfall) and food availability (Langham, 1980;Nguyen Quang, 1994). In general, the breeding cycle of this species is 92-120 days and the clutch size is two (Langham, 1980;Kang et al, 1991;Lim and Cranbrook, 2002;Viruhpintu, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Genetic Homogeneity Among Colonies of the White-Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in Thailand

et al. 2008

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The white-nest swiftlet, Aerodramus fuciphagus, originally lived in large colonies in natural caves, but now it also occurs in man-made buildings. We investigated the patterns of genetic differentiation in two mitochondrial DNA genes (cyt-b and ND2) and eight microsatellite loci among and within colonies of A. fuciphagus from across recently established man-made colonies in Thailand. Ten white-nest swiftlet colonies were sampled along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea in Thailand during 2003-2006. The genetic diversity of mtDNA was very low, and few significant PhiST values were found between pairs of colonies. Analyses of haplotype relationships did not show genetic structure across the sampled distribution. The level of genetic diversity for microsatellite loci was high, but FST values were not significant. However, due to small sample sizes for some colonies that could limit conclusions on genetic differentiation from PhiST and FST, we also analyzed the microsatellite data using STRUCTURE and found that number of subpopulations of white-nest swiftlets in sampled colonies was one. The lack of genetic differentiation among swiftlet house colonies could be a result of high gene flow between colonies and large population sizes. Our results suggest that A. fuciphagus living in recently established man-made colonies in Thailand should be considered members of a single panmictic population. Future work will be necessary to determine whether this panmixia is stable or a temporary result of the recent explosive expansion of the number of colonies, and comparisons to natural colonies may provide an understanding of mechanisms producing the lack of genetic structure in swiftlet house colonies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Genetic Homogeneity Among Colonies of the White-Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in Thailand

et al. 2008

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“…Memory of previous nesting attempts suggests reuse of sites by the same pair, which may reduce energetic costs. Energetically, the saliva nests of Aerodramus maximus and A. fuciphagus are costly to produce and when removed (for bird's‐nest soup), result in reduced lipid reserves and reduced reproductive success (Kang et al . 1991, Phach & Voisin 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study of Nest‐site Selection in the Biscutate Swift (Streptoprocne biscutata, Aves: Apodidae) in Southern Brazil

2009

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Biscutate swift Streptoprocne biscutata nests are usually built on protected rocky cliff walls. Birds often renest at the same location. Remains of previous nests may offer information about potential nests and quality of nest‐sites. Here, we experimentally study nest‐site selection to test the hypothesis that information from previous nests is used in current nest‐site selection. We placed old nest material at artificial nest‐sites to test whether new nest‐sites are chosen based on the presence of nesting material. We also tested whether the use of natural nest‐sites is influenced by nesting material by creating two types of natural sites: previously used natural nest‐sites with vestiges of old nests removed and never used natural nest‐sites to which vestiges of old nests were added. In the first experiment, in 139 nest‐use opportunities, 16 artificial nest‐sites were used, all of which included vestiges. In the second experiment, in 91 nest‐use opportunities, four nests were in previously unused but natural locations to which vestiges had been added, 22 nests were in previously used sites without vestiges, and the remaining 65 nests remained unused. Two processes are apparently in action: first, prior experience and memory; second, vestiges indicate where nesting has occurred, possibly useful for first breeding, or for imperfect memory. Previous nesting information may explain why swifts use nesting locations for many years and why new nesting colonies seldom form. This transmission of information suggests that swifts tend to be conservative and nest where previous nesting has occurred.

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“…In Maoist China, the consumption of nests was discouraged as a bourgeois excess, but as Maoism retreated and China has increasingly embraced a state capitalist model, a huge market has (re-)opened, and trade has been expanding at an estimated 10 per cent per year since about 1985 (Jordan 2004). Lau and Melville (1994) report a fifty-fold increase in prices between 1971and 1991. De Groot (1983 quotes a Hong Kong trader who explained that "the supply never catches up with the demand."…”

Section: History Of the Tradementioning

confidence: 96%

“…The breeding season overlaps the wet season, when abundant flying insects are available. Nest building and egg laying appear to be limited by the availability of protein, with the frequency and building rate of third nests generally much lower than for the first two (Kang et al 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…These glands enlarge during the breeding season, particularly in the female (Medway 1962a). While most swifts and swiftlets use saliva to bind leaf, moss or feathers into nests, white-nest swiftlets (Aerodramus fuciphagus and A. inexpectatus) build nests wholly of this saliva cement (Kang et al 1991). Black-nest swiftlets (A. maximus) produce nests containing approximately 10 per cent preened feathers, which command a lower price.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Edible Birds' Nest Boom in Indonesia and South-east Asia

Thorburn

2014

Food, Culture & Society

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The nests of the edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus spp., Apodidae: Collocaliini), constructed entirely of hardened saliva, have long been a highly prized delicacy in China, and are reputed to have a number of beneficial medicinal properties. Swiftlet nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans, sometimes referred to as "the caviar of the East." Recently, the trade in edible birds' nests has expanded rapidly to meet the demands of an increasingly prosperous consumer society in China. Investors erect special buildings with interiors created to resemble the limestone caves naturally inhabited by the swiftlets, transforming the skyline and ambiance of towns across Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and especially Indonesia, source of around 80 per cent of the global nest supply. Focusing primarily on Indonesia, this paper presents an overview of the birds' nest trade, exploring some of the drivers and impacts of this latest round in the long history of domestication.

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Nest construction and egg‐laying in Edible‐nest Swiftlets Aerodramus spp. and the implications for harvesting

Cited by 44 publications

References 14 publications

Genetic Homogeneity Among Colonies of the White-Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in Thailand

Genetic Homogeneity Among Colonies of the White-Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) in Thailand

Experimental Study of Nest‐site Selection in the Biscutate Swift (Streptoprocne biscutata, Aves: Apodidae) in Southern Brazil

The Edible Birds' Nest Boom in Indonesia and South-east Asia

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