THE POTENTIAL OF FARMING EDIBLE-NEST SWIFTLETS IN SABAH

sabah.gov.my
Laurentius N. Ambu
Deputy Director Sabah Wildlife Department Kota Kinabalu
ABSTRACT The two most economically-important swiflets are the so-called edible nest swiflets: the white-nest swiflets (Aerodramus fuciphagus) and the Black-nest swiflet (Aerodramus maximus). Both species occur in Sabah.
With the dwindling edible-nest swiflets population due to effects of increased harvesting pressure and effects of forest habitat modifications, new dimensions need to be embarked to invigorate the conservation of these swiflets population while at the same time enhance the production of the edible birds nest vis-à-vis the sustainable development of the bird nests industry in Sabah. It is therefore timely to venture new avenues towards this end. From the case studies on swiflet farming in Indonesia and Malaysia, the potential contribution of bird nests produced from swiflet farms is enormous. With the right bird houses, technology and well – manipulated environmental regimes, it is now possible to produce edible bird nests from farm houses. From the experience above, it is hoped that commercial farming of swiflet in Sabah is realised.