There are many things in the world whose price surprises people. We often hear about gold, diamonds and rare metals, but have you ever heard about a bird’s nest whose price reaches lakhs of rupees? This may sound strange, but it is absolutely true. A small bird named Swiftlet makes a nest which is counted among the most expensive natural products in the world.
Swiftlet is commonly found in some countries of South-East Asia. It does not look like a very special bird, but one of its unique habits makes it different from other birds. While most birds use dry twigs, grass, leaves or other natural materials to make their nests, the Swiftlet prepares its nest with its own saliva.
How does one prepare the nest?
When it is time to build a nest, this bird repeatedly releases its saliva on the rocks or walls of caves. Gradually, this saliva starts hardening after coming in contact with air and after several days of hard work, a bowl-shaped nest is ready. This nest is later sold all over the world at a very high price.
Collecting these nests is also not an easy task. The swiftlet often builds its nests in deep, dark and dangerous caves. Many times these nests are on high rocks or in places where it is very difficult to reach. The people who rescue them climb hundreds of feet high with the help of ropes and wooden ladders. The slightest mistake can become a threat to their life. This is the reason why the work of collecting these nests is considered very risky.
Why is there demand for its nest?
The demand for these nests is very high in some countries. Especially in areas like China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, they are seen as a special food item. There, a famous dish called Bird Nest Soup is made from these nests. It is believed that this soup is beneficial for health and helps in giving strength to the body. Although there are different opinions regarding its health benefits, its popularity remains even today.
Swiftlet Bird Nests Pic
Bird Nest Soup is often categorized as royal and luxury food. In many places this soup is served at very expensive prices. This is the reason why Swiftlet nests fetch very high prices in the international market. Some of the best quality nests can sell for thousands of dollars per kilogram.
With time, the increasing demand for these nests has created a new industry. Now in some countries, apart from natural caves, special buildings are also built, where Swiftlet birds are attracted to make nests. Through this, an attempt is made to increase the production of nests and at the same time reduce the pressure on the wild population.
However, experts believe that the protection of these birds and their natural habitat is equally important. If nests are collected continuously without planning, it may affect the bird population. Therefore, in many areas, rules have been made for harvesting and collecting nests so that the birds are not harmed.
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