The Swiftlet House
This unassuming, gray four-story edifice stands as a luxurious haven for swiftlets. These birds, renowned for their precious nest saliva, are enticed to reside and weave their nests within its walls. The birdhouse, meticulously maintained and regularly cleaned, is often equipped with speakers that mimic the calls of swiftlets and a serene pool for their bathing rituals. Farmers typically harvest the nests every two to three months. Once a highly lucrative enterprise, the swiftlet farming now faces challenges as rapid deforestation diminishes bird populations and, consequently, the yield of nests.
I captured this image from a moving Hiace car using a Google Pixel 6a. It was around 2 PM on a cloudy afternoon, during a drive from Pontianak to Ngabang in Landak, West Kalimantan. The photo, bathed in natural light, received a touch of editing in Snapseed.