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Bird news from Vietnam, from Vietnam's resident and visiting birders.

3 May 2011

Edible-nest Swiftlet


Hi,

Today I have a question for you all, and hope someone can enlighten me. Last week I visited Phu Quoc Island, and on one farm they had an open window in the top of a house. In the window a loudspeaker continously gave the sound of a swiftlet, and I saw one bird. If I understood my vietnamese guide correctly, they raised Edible-nest Swiftlets there (and my guide said they do the same near Nha Trang). However, my bird-book says the Edible-nest Swiftlet should not be found in Vietnam. Are they breeding Germain's Swiftlet and using the nest of that species for food like they do with the Edible-nest Swiftlet, or what?

I attach a picture of a Forest Wagtail that visited the area around my cottage for two days - a lovely guest.

Arild

1 comment:

  1. Hi Arild,

    Nice picture you took there!
    Regarding your question - yes, they "harvest" Germain's Swiftlet. They do it with the same species in Cambodia and Thailand. Not sure though how sustainable it is...

    Cheers,
    Falk

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