Editing Swift (bird) (section)

==Exploitation by humans==
The hardened saliva nests of the [[edible-nest swiftlet]] and the [[black-nest swiftlet]] have been used in Chinese cooking for over 400 years, most often as [[edible bird's nest|bird's nest soup]].<ref name=Hobbs>{{cite journal |last=Hobbs |first=Joseph J |year= 2004|title= Problems in the harvest of edible birds' nests in Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysian Borneo| journal=Biodiversity and Conservation | volume= 13| pages=2209–2226 |doi=10.1023/b:bioc.0000047905.79709.7f|issue=12|s2cid=34483704 }}</ref> Over-harvesting of this expensive delicacy has led to a decline in the numbers of these swiftlets,<ref name=Gausset>{{cite journal |last= Gausset|first=Quentin |year= 2004|title=Chronicle of a Foreseeable Tragedy: Birds' Nests Management in the Niah Caves (Sarawak) | journal= Human Ecology| volume=32 | pages=487–506 |doi=10.1023/b:huec.0000043517.23277.54|issue=4|s2cid=154898420 }}</ref><ref name=MarconeA>{{cite journal |last=Marcone |first= Massimo F|year= 2005|title=Characterization of the edible bird's nest the ''Caviar of the East'' | journal=Food Research International | volume=38 | pages=1125–1134 |doi=10.1016/j.foodres.2005.02.008|issue=10}}</ref> especially as the nests are also thought to have health benefits and [[aphrodisiac]] properties. Most nests are built during the breeding season by the male swiftlet over a period of 35 days. They take the shape of a shallow cup stuck to the cave wall. The nests are composed of interwoven strands of salivary cement and contain high levels of calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.<ref name=MarconeA/>