Types Of Swallow Birds Nest

Cave Swallow Birds Nest

Workers use bamboo ladders, scaffoldings and rope ladders to climb the cave walls in order to harvest the nests. This high-skilled work has been a local tradition for generations.

Cave nests are mostly found in tall and steep cave walls which making nest-harvesting a high-risk profession. These nests usually contained high volume of feathers and debris that required intensive cleaning and are later made into strips or chunks. Its rarity makes the price extremely high.

House Swallow Birds Nest

House Swallow Birds Nest is found uniquely in coastal areas of Southeast Asia. With its geographical and climate advantages, the local people have transformed regular buildings into the ideal breeding ground for swiftlets thus called Bird’s House.

Unlike the common swallows, swiftlets are smaller in size (roughly about 11~12cm) and have a rather glittering greyish brown back. They have narrow wings and short tail feathers, which make them excellent in flight. Their legs are tiny, not suitable for walking. They spend most of the day in flight.

Swiftlets hunt during the day and return to the birdhouse at dusk. Adequately moist, these custom-built buildings provide an optimal nesting ground for the birds.

Even though their tiny legs may seem weak, swiftlets clutch firmly at the outer wall of their nests when resting. They never stay inside the nest.

People commonly think that consuming Swallow Birds Nest would render swiftlets homeless. In fact, these nests are constructed for laying eggs. After the swiftlets grown up and flew off, the nests are then abandoned and can be readily harvested.

Nest-collectors will carry out monitoring scheme regularly and harvest only after baby chicks hatch, grow and leave the nest. The periodical monitoring and caretaking have contributed to the increase rate of birth and survival of the swiftlets in recent years.

Types Of Swallow Birds Nest

Benefits Of Swallow Birds Nest

According to Compendium of Meteria Medica, Swallow Birds Nest has a mild and gentle essence with benefits of strengthening the lungs, nourishing kidneys and improving spleen. It also enhances “qi” flow (“life energy”), reinforces the immune system and prevents coughs. It is widely viewed as the best health diet for those recovering from severe illness.

Studies conducted by nutritionists in the United States showed that the nutritional value of 1000g of dry nest includes 499g of water-soluble protein, 429g of calcium and 18 types of essential amino acid while 8 out of the 18 can’t be synthesized by the humans, and therefore must be supplied in the diet. It also contains 2 types of collagen that increases the speed of cell division that results in stimulating cell regeneration.

Easily digested and absorbed by human body, Swallow Birds Nest is suitable for people of all ages. After regular and long term consumption of Swallow Birds Nest, women will find their youth prolonged especially their skin remain youthful, men find strength and energy, and elderly find health while children find their appetite and healthier body. Moreover, an expecting mother who consumes Swallow Birds Nest during her pregnancy strengthens the immune system of the baby.

The Nutritional Value Of Swallow Birds Nest

Most researchers have confirmed that pure Swallow Birds Nests mainly contain water-soluble protein, fat, 8 types of essential amino acids, and elements such as sodium, iodine and other beneficial nutrients as well. Amino acids are the basic building blocks for protein and they must be supplied in the diet. They are lysine, methionine, leonine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, isoleucine.

Lysine readily converts its epsilon carbon then to carbon dioxide, helping to form glutamic acid. Methionine produces two other sulphur containing amino acids, cysteine and taurine. Leucine promotes the healing of bones, skin, and muscle tissue after traumatic injury, and is often recommended for those recovering from surgery. It is also popular among surgeons and athletes as supplements. Valine is a vital nutrient for babies because it helps regulate blood sugar and stimulate the central nervous system for proper mental functioning.