Why do swiftlet prefer to stay in houses or shop lots as compare to trees, below the bridges or five foot walkways?
There must be some reasons why they behave as such.
What type of empty houses they will love or prefer to stay and built a family?
This is something which I have been observing and I would love to share will all my blog readers.
One interesting findings is the darkness.
It seem that the birds put darkness as their first priority. Then the temperature and then the humidity.
To swiftlet, darkness mean safety to their young babies. Most predators are blind in darkness however swiftlet have a special gift where they use echolocation to find they way in total darkness.
During my recent trip to Raub, Pahang, I was fascinated with the darkness created in the BH that was with no birds for 11 months of operation. Now after renovation the once totally empty BH have more then 23 bird shit spots and a few nests (inclusive of fake nests tenancy).
The design was one of the best for shop houses on the top floor using top entry entrance.
Basically to control the light coming directly into the nesting area is crucial. You need to use your best thinking cap on how to allow minimum light flowing from the top roof to the nesting areas. You cannot allow direct light but only the second or third reflection. Once you secure this features then you next step is to find ways to ensure that the internal temperature and humidity are within the preferred range.
So the placement of openings and petitioning to reach the desired plans is important while you must ensure that the path will not create unnecessary difficulties for the swiftlets to move into the nesting areas.
Do remember that these swiftlets when flying at high speed do need adequate turning radius (path) to enter your BH. If your BH design is not well populated then this might be a possible reason.
One more method is to apply black colored odorless water base paint on all those walls that are directly or indirectly hitting the light. The black walls will in fact absorb colored reflection light except black. In this way you can actually minimise those light intensity reaching your nesting rooms.
Why do many BH owners prefer to built rooms in their BHs?
Though they provide more safer locations to built nests for the birds but the actual reason are the darkness created and to act as wind shield. The birds feel safer to build close to these walls plus the fact that these walls will also provide wind flow protection.
During monsoon season when there are lots of strong wind outside. There is a very strong tendency for the wind to enter the house and these wind are not suitable for those young chicks. When their parent are away hunting for food they are totally exposed to the room temperature, humidity and of course those wind. If high wind enter the BH and reach to these young chicks they simply will get sick and die within hours.
So you think that you are ready to DIY ?
My advise is take precaution and make sure that your knowledge is adequate before designing your own. Most DIY BHs have very little success and owners will eventually gives up after a few good months.
If you wish to built yourself, get someone who is skilled in swiftlet farming to become your adviser, while you complete the house.
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