Bird Spit Soup Mythbuster Edition: The Red Nest

In previous post we have explain about the colors of the swiftlet’s nest. The colors are white, yellow, and red. The color of the Bird Spit Soup can be different depending on the location of where they are located or cultivated.

Myth 1: Natural Red Bird Spit Soupimply Does Not Exist

Recently many believe that all red Bird Spit Soup in the market is fake and artificial. While I have to admit that there are some ill practice that convert white nest into red nest by using coloring (red dye), we should not be too fast to jump into conclusion that red nest does not exist. There is no doubt the red nests exist. In fact the existence is the exact reason why people attempt to make the fake ones in the first place. A lot of cave nest are usually red.

Bird Spit Soup  Mythbuster Edition: The Red Nest

Myth 2: the Red Color of the Nest Comes from Bird’s Blood

One of the myths that commonly believed by society suggest that red Bird Spit Soup was made by sick or dying swift, that cough its blood while building the nest. Because of this misconception the name red Bird Spit Soup is interchangeable with “Blood nest”. Blood nest rarity and its exotic story have positioned the product as most premium and most expensive category. Nevertheless the factual story is slightly different. All nest is originally white and will stay white without any biological trigger. White nest will gradually turns into red color because of the unique climate condition and natural organic activities within the house of the cave. Moreover such optimum condition is rarely obtained, a main reason why natural red Bird Spit Soup is seldom.

Myth 3: The Red Color Comes From Iron and Rust

As discussed above, red color is a product of organic process and not chemical process such as rusting iron or other metal found in the cave/house. This is simply not true. But if such metal contamination process occurs and influence the nest color, it is not the original red color it should have. I am personally doubtful of the safety as well of this product.
A lot of people believe that red nest have higher nutritional content. While there is no extensive study that have comprehensive conclusion about this, we also cannot dismiss it as a myth. Testimonies about red Bird Spit Soup usually include feeling invigorated, better blood circulation/flow, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bird Spit Soup (1)

Can cancer patients drink Bird Spit Soup  ?

YES

How do you move a Bird Spit Soup  ?

If it is a wild's Bird Spit Soup that is being used by a bird family, I would just leave it alone until theeggs hatch and the babies have left it. If it is a pet Bird Spit Soup  , do the same thing.

Why is Bird Spit Soup  red?

It is red because of blood mixed into the spit of the swift. As nests are harvested, the swift has to rebuild its nest and this takes a physiological toll on the bird (because the eggs, which are not yet laid great tax the bird's system). **** Some time ago people believed that a red nest was created by an overworked Swiftlet that had built its nest partly with blood. Nowadays, people believe that the red nest is created by a Swiftlet that has eaten seafood or a food substance which contains a high volume of iron. Research has proved both of these beliefs to be untrue. The red nest (red blood) is not created by the Swiftlet, but by the surrounding environment. Cave nests turn red in colour due to the mineral content and the wet surface of the cave which seeps into the nest. This polluting of the nest by cave water significantly reduces the nutrient levels of the nest. The red appearance of a house nest is achieved through the unethical dying of white nests. The harvest is deliberately delayed to let the gas from the Swiftlet's droppings react with the nest. The gas emitted by the Swiftlet is called Ammonia. Ammonia is a compound found in fertilizer and detergent. Long term consumption of Bird Spit Soup which has been contaminated in this way will have adverse effects on personal health. The consumption of toxic chemicals has strong links to cancer and other major illnesses. This is the reason all Bird Spit Soup experts advise expectant mothers and the elderly to avoid the consumption of red nests.

Is a Bird Spit Soup a mixture?

Yes, it is, because you can separate the twigs and things inside the nest fromone another.

Which bird is famous for laying its eggs in another Bird Spit Soup  ?

Cuckoos and cowbirds are famous for laying their eggs in otherbirds' nests, and leaving the chicks to be raised by the otherbirds.

What do you do if a bird's egg falls out of the nest?

It depends on how long it has been there. If you have just witnessed it falling out then you can pick it up and try as best as you can to raise it. If you have the money than I would advise buying an incubator. After the bird is raised you may set it back into the wild.

Can you move a Bird Spit Soup and not kill the eggs?

No. The mother won't be able to find the nest and the eggs need the warmth of a parent to survive.