Bird’s Nest Cliffs and the Swiftlets of Phang Nga Bay

All around the islands in Phang Nga Bay, tiny swiftlets can be seen flying endlessly over the sea at incredible speed.
They build their nests on the cave walls and in crevices of the many surrounding islands. These nests, mainly composed of dried bird saliva, are highly valued in Chinese cuisine and reach very high prices on the international market.

Koh Yao islanders have become experts in collecting these nests.
Each year, a spirit worship ceremony takes place on Koh Karat (also called Koh Rang Nok, “bird’s nest island”). During this pujo, many islanders gather for the day, firing firecrackers in the caves and sharing a traditional nuri banquet on the beach. The ceremony is believed to ensure that the next harvest of bird’s nests will be both successful and safe.

Further reading and references:

• Photos of the caves and bird’s nest hunters by Eric Valli

• Swiftlets taxonomy and the edible-nest swiftlet

Aerodramus fuciphagus — Edible-nest Swiftlet