Distinguishing real bird’s nests from fake ones

In order to avoid being deceived or confused in the chaotic swiftlet market, you need to know how to distinguish between authentic and counterfeit bird's nests.

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Bird’s nest (swiftlet nest) is an extremely nutritious food with many health benefits and high price. Therefore, there are many counterfeit and fake products on the market, which are very cleverly made. Those who are not careful and knowledgeable are easily deceived and end up losing money.

How to distinguish real and fake bird's nest-1
Smart consumers need to know how to distinguish between real and fake bird’s nests. (Photo: Dao Insights)

You need to know the following methods to distinguish between real and fake bird’s nests in order to avoid being deceived and to prevent unscrupulous businesses from prospering.

Methods to distinguish between real and fake bird’s nests

You can identify real or fake bird’s nests through the following factors.

External appearance of bird’s nests

Real bird’s nests have a tangled and overlapping shape, like a twisted pumpkin vine, forming a curved shape. They look dry and fibrous. Real bird’s nests feel firm when held, with a thin nest edge but a thick body to firmly adhere to the rock wall.

Real bird’s nests have uneven sizes and varying thicknesses due to their natural formation. When examined under sunlight, we can see light passing through them, giving them a milky white color.

On the other hand, fake bird’s nests are usually in a solid block shape, with a relatively even surface. The nest fibers are neatly arranged and meticulously crafted. When held in hand, fake bird’s nests are very light and look rough compared to real nests.

The fibers of fake bird’s nests look softer and, when examined under sunlight, they appear transparent due to being made from starch, egg whites…

Color of bird’s nests

Real white bird’s nests have a milky white color, sometimes with a yellowish tint, and have a slightly musky taste of swiftlet saliva. Fake white bird’s nests: have a strong smell of bleach, have a bright white color, and look transparent. 

Real blood bird’s nests have a bright red or orange color, with a distinctive aroma. Fake blood bird’s nests have a strong fishy smell and tend to be dark red. 

Scent

Smell is also a way to distinguish between real and fake bird’s nests. Real bird’s nests usually have a musky smell, a characteristic musty odor that does not change even when stored for a long time. The musty smell of real nests is not a sign of low quality, but a distinctive smell caused by the nests being formed in nature. Especially after being cooked, the characteristic musky smell of the nests remains unchanged.

Fake bird’s nests have a fishy smell when dry, like squid or fish; when cooked, they no longer have the characteristic smell and may even have a dark smell of bleach.

How to distinguish real and fake bird's nest-2
Smell is also a way to distinguish between real and fake bird’s nests. (Photo: Zii Yến)

Elasticity

You can feel the elasticity of bird’s nests by gently squeezing them with your hand. Real bird’s nests are brittle, easy to break into small pieces; on the other hand, fake bird’s nests have a certain degree of elasticity and will break into blocks.

Expanding of the nests

Another way to distinguish real and fake bird’s nests: check the expansion of the nests. Real bird’s nests, when boiled, will have a distinctive musky smell, and the fibers will expand intact. Even when used to cook soup and boiled for a long time, the nests still do not dissolve or become soft.

On the other hand, fake bird’s nests, when boiled, will have a dark smell of chemicals. The fibers expand less, and they may even disintegrate and become soft quickly due to being made from starch. No matter how well fake bird’s nests are made, when boiled for about five minutes, they will dissolve.

Soaking bird’s nests in water

When soaked in water, real bird’s nests will double in size, and when stirred with your hand, you will see bubbles on the water surface.

Fake bird’s nests, because they have been processed, will not expand much when soaked, and when stirred, the water will become cloudy due to being made from starch and additives.

Source: VTC.vn

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Frequently asked questions

There are several key differences between real and fake bird nests. Real bird nests are made from a variety of materials, including grass, mud, twigs, and feathers, and will often be messy and uneven. Fake nests are usually made from more uniform materials, such as paper or plastic, and may have a more symmetrical shape. Real nests are also often lined with soft materials, such as fur or plant fibers, to make them comfortable for the birds to sit on, while fake nests may have a more rough or uneven surface.

Look for signs of wear and tear, such as frayed edges or missing pieces, which indicate that the nest has been used and is likely real. Real nests will also often have a layer of dirt or debris on them, especially if they are in a tree or bush. You can also look for signs of bird activity, such as feathers, droppings, or eggshells nearby.

Yes, one example is the weaver bird, which creates intricate and elaborate nests from grass and other plant fibers. These nests are often suspended from tree branches and can be quite large and complex. Another example is the hummingbird, which creates tiny, cup-shaped nests that are often lined with soft materials, such as spider silk or plant down.

Birds use a variety of materials to build their nests, depending on the species and the environment. In addition to grass, mud, twigs, and feathers, some birds may use string, cloth, wool, or other human-made materials that they find. Some birds, such as crows and ravens, are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities, and may use unusual materials or build their nests in unique locations.

It is important to maintain a respectful distance from bird nests and not to disturb the birds or their habitat. Use binoculars or a spotting scope to observe the nest from a distance, and try to be as quiet and still as possible. If you are approaching a nest, do so slowly and carefully, and be aware of any signs of agitation or distress from the birds.

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