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

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• birds' nest soup
• Chinese cuisine
• traditional medicine
• swiftlet
• Indonesia

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Craig Thorburn

Craig Thorburn is a human geographer at Monash University. His previous research has focused on customary and community-based natural resource management, property rights, environmental policy and governance, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. He has also conducted extensive research on post-tsunami and post-conflict aid effectiveness in Aceh. School of Geography and Centre for Geography and Environmental Science, Clayton Campus, Monash University, Victoria, Australia ([email protected]).