White-nest Swiftlet

A plain brown-grey swiftlet best known for building a nest almost entirely from solidified saliva — the basis of the bird's-nest soup trade, and the reason large cave and purpose-built 'swiftlet house' colonies are actively managed in parts of Southeast Asia.

Feeds on flying insects at height, generally in large colonies roosting and nesting in caves or specially constructed buildings, with echolocation used for cave navigation in total darkness.