Status Survey of Indian Edible-Nest Swiftlet Collocalia unicolor (Jerdon) in Western Ghats, West Coast, and Islands in Arabian Sea, India

About this book

Language: English

The nests of Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet (Collocalia unicolor) and Common Edible-nest Swiftlet (C. fuciphaga) are 'white nests, which are harvested for consumption as food, tonics, aphrodisiacs, medicines and other commercial purposes. Because of their alleged aphrodisiacal properties they fetch a very high commercial value in the South-East Asian countries. Such markets do not exist in India in any significant amount. Both species have become threatened due to clandestine overexploitation of the nests for their export to South-East Asian countries.

The authors conducted several detailed surveys in 2001 to find out the status of Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia unicolor along the west coast of India, with an emphasis on Vengurla Rocks, the largest known breeding colony of this species; the Western Ghats; the offshore marine islands and the Lakshadweep Archipelago in Arabian Sea. These studies, and the recommendations of various NGOs and government organizations, eventually led to inclusion of the two species in Schedule I, Part III (Birds) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as amended in 2002.

In this report, the authors present their findings from these surveys during 2001 to 2006 and a review of the relevant literature. They also present their findings regarding assessment of the status and distribution, taxonomy, morphology, radiological osteometry (for the first time), nidification, ecology and behaviour, threat assessment, conservation measures undertaken and recommendations for conservation of Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia unicolor.

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