Cave Swiftlets of Barangay Kuden, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat

The study intended to describe the habitat, identify taxonomically and provide a baseline data on the reproductive biology of the cave swiftlets inhabiting the five (5) selected caves of Barangay Kuden, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat using ethnobiological survey and Mackinnon species listing method. The data gathered will be used as a guide for the policy formulation concerning sustainability of edible bird's nest collection. From among the identified caves five (5) caves were found to be the major breeding sites of swiftlets in the area namely: Ukitan Cave, Ortiz Cave, Ortiz Bat Cave, Marzo Cave, and Lagbasan. Four species of cave swiftlets Aerodamus salangana, Aerodramus fuciphagus, Collocalia esculenta, and Collocalia troglodytes mostly inhabiting the twilight zones of the caves were identified using photographs, field information, biometric data, and with the help of ornithologists. Findings revealed that the reproductive biology of cave swiftlets can be completed within four to five months which starts with the construction of nests between the months of December to March. Various disturbances like human visits as indicated by the presence of graffiti and destroyed rock formations, as well as presence of long poles as evidence of nests collection were observed. The high value and demand of edible nests in the market resulted in extensive nests collection and exploitation also altered the bird's natural ecology. To prevent the population of these edible-nest producing swiftlet species to decrease, sustainable harvesting method should be practiced.