Comments on: George Town going to the birds http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/ Let justice flow like a mighty river Fri, 25 May 2012 18:31:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: jytou http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-62464 jytou Fri, 17 Sep 2010 07:36:44 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-62464 Dogs arent native in urban Penang or anyway in Malaysia and technically the whole world, the domestic dogs, Canis familiaris is a domestic species as a result of long domestication of the wolves. It is not a wild animal and is technically "created" by human. In Malaysia, the only wild dog is the Asiatic Jackal which is a forested species on the brink of extinction. Dogs arent native in urban Penang or anyway in Malaysia and technically the whole world, the domestic dogs, Canis familiaris is a domestic species as a result of long domestication of the wolves. It is not a wild animal and is technically “created” by human.

In Malaysia, the only wild dog is the Asiatic Jackal which is a forested species on the brink of extinction.

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]]> By: jytou http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-62079 jytou Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:26:13 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-62079 Swallows and Swifts are two different groups of birds that are not related to each other. However, due to similarity in behavior of feeding in flight mainly after flying insects, they are often given same or similar names in many cultures, such as Chinese and Malay where both groups are collectively known as "yan zi" and "Layang-layang". Swallows are passerines, which is related to most of the birds that you would had seen, such as sparrows, mynas, crows and etc. They are capable of perching on wyrelines and release droppings onto cars parked under these wyrelines. 2 species are commonly seen in urban areas. Swifts are not passerines and not very closely related, they are however more related to hummingbirds which are not found in this part of the world, they have very weak feet that is almost useless except helping them to cling themselves on the cliff or building wall, they are UNABLE to perch on wyrelines and are usually more aerial than the swallows. The swiftlets is a group of swifts which are smaller in size usually and a few species in this group is capable of producing an edible nest, we had around 2-4 species that are commonly seen in the Malaysian urban skies but only 1-2 species is producing the edible nest and is reared in the swiftlet hotels. The swiftlets in Malaysia aren't very natural actually, the edible nest makers, Germain's Swiftlet were strictly coastal birds in the wild, breeding only on offshores island. However the rearing of swiftlets had brought them inland into human habitation, thats why today they are more or less like the Rock Pigeons and House Crows that are commonly seen in cities but are actually not native and is placed there by humans. Therefore, your idea of the swiftlets natural feeding areas are urban skies is not actually accurate. The natural urban sky feeders are such as Barn Swallow, Pacific Swallow and House Swift, some greener urban areas will also have Asian Palm Swift and White-bellied Swiftlet (nest not edible...). These Germain's Swiftlet and probably another species Edible-nest Swiftlet are only common in urban skies recently due to the booming swiftlet keeping industry. Swallows and Swifts are two different groups of birds that are not related to each other. However, due to similarity in behavior of feeding in flight mainly after flying insects, they are often given same or similar names in many cultures, such as Chinese and Malay where both groups are collectively known as “yan zi” and “Layang-layang”.

Swallows are passerines, which is related to most of the birds that you would had seen, such as sparrows, mynas, crows and etc. They are capable of perching on wyrelines and release droppings onto cars parked under these wyrelines. 2 species are commonly seen in urban areas.

Swifts are not passerines and not very closely related, they are however more related to hummingbirds which are not found in this part of the world, they have very weak feet that is almost useless except helping them to cling themselves on the cliff or building wall, they are UNABLE to perch on wyrelines and are usually more aerial than the swallows. The swiftlets is a group of swifts which are smaller in size usually and a few species in this group is capable of producing an edible nest, we had around 2-4 species that are commonly seen in the Malaysian urban skies but only 1-2 species is producing the edible nest and is reared in the swiftlet hotels.

The swiftlets in Malaysia aren’t very natural actually, the edible nest makers, Germain’s Swiftlet were strictly coastal birds in the wild, breeding only on offshores island. However the rearing of swiftlets had brought them inland into human habitation, thats why today they are more or less like the Rock Pigeons and House Crows that are commonly seen in cities but are actually not native and is placed there by humans.

Therefore, your idea of the swiftlets natural feeding areas are urban skies is not actually accurate. The natural urban sky feeders are such as Barn Swallow, Pacific Swallow and House Swift, some greener urban areas will also have Asian Palm Swift and White-bellied Swiftlet (nest not edible…). These Germain’s Swiftlet and probably another species Edible-nest Swiftlet are only common in urban skies recently due to the booming swiftlet keeping industry.

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]]> By: Fly free http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-41653 Fly free Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:20:42 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-41653 For those affected residents etc, visit http://noswiftlethousesingeorgetown.blogspot.com/ and spread the news. thanks. For those affected residents etc, visit

http://noswiftlethousesingeorgetown.blogspot.com/

and spread the news. thanks.

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]]> By: tiger http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-41544 tiger Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:49:11 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-41544 The authorities actually do something about crows. They came from India on the boats is what people think. There are crow shoots and cages. would be great if authorities could fly up sticky kites and catch the swifts- just like flies! The authorities actually do something about crows. They came from India on the boats is what people think. There are crow shoots and cages. would be great if authorities could fly up sticky kites and catch the swifts- just like flies!

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]]> By: tiger http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-41543 tiger Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:46:12 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-41543 Ummmm.......dogs were around way before homo sapiens too and see what happened. Dogs in all sorts of shapes and sizes wandering everywhere becoming a menace. Humans thinking that they had a great idea- breeding dogs. Its all out of hand. Same as the swifts! Iron, you'll be complaining about the swifts soon too. Wait and see! Ummmm…….dogs were around way before homo sapiens too and see what happened. Dogs in all sorts of shapes and sizes wandering everywhere becoming a menace. Humans thinking that they had a great idea- breeding dogs. Its all out of hand. Same as the swifts! Iron, you’ll be complaining about the swifts soon too. Wait and see!

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]]> By: tiger http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-41540 tiger Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:35:04 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-41540 Good idea! Yes eagle cut outs work. Nest boxes for owls work but best of all, you can purchase sonic contraptions that keep the birds away totally. I am investigating this now. I'll let you know how they work. And they are very affordable too. It's a great business opportunity for someone. More swifts, more need for bird deterrents! Good idea! Yes eagle cut outs work. Nest boxes for owls work but best of all, you can purchase sonic contraptions that keep the birds away totally. I am investigating this now. I’ll let you know how they work. And they are very affordable too. It’s a great business opportunity for someone. More swifts, more need for bird deterrents!

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]]> By: tiger http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-41538 tiger Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:31:53 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-41538 Actually I have the equivalent amount of swift shit on my car each morning! I live in George Town and am surrounded by ever expanding illegal swift houses with no licenses. At least you don't have to scrape shit off your car each morning Iron! Actually I have the equivalent amount of swift shit on my car each morning! I live in George Town and am surrounded by ever expanding illegal swift houses with no licenses. At least you don’t have to scrape shit off your car each morning Iron!

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]]> By: tiger http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-41537 tiger Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:28:53 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-41537 No only could they carry avian disease- as they come into contact with local pigeons, crows etc that roost outside the swift houses- but the feces in the houses encourages the growth of a fungus which causes lung disease. This fungus enters our lungs through the air, through airconditioning, by falling in food etc. No only could they carry avian disease- as they come into contact with local pigeons, crows etc that roost outside the swift houses- but the feces in the houses encourages the growth of a fungus which causes lung disease. This fungus enters our lungs through the air, through airconditioning, by falling in food etc.

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]]> By: tiger http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-41535 tiger Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:26:17 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-41535 Iron should take some lessons of his own! Swifts, swiftlets and swallows are all different species of bird. The little swiftlets that everyone wants to breed make nests with their saliva. During the day they fly to feed above agricultural and forest areas. This is the only way they feed and they eat insects. They do not eat seeds or meat and they do not come down to the ground to feed. At intervals during the day and at night, they come back to their artificial caves- - to rest and sleep and breed. They drink by flying over pools of water and scooping water up with their beak, or through rain and sprays of water- thus the sprinkler systems set up on outside walls of these swift houses. Originally they would have used caves but have learnt, and then have been attracted to breed in houses. It is a fact that they prefer to be near their natural feeding grounds which is why ideally the breeders should custom build swift houses away from residential and urban areas and out in agricultural areas so that the swifts have easy access to small insects. Also, this way the swift houses will not become a public health menace. This way swift breeding becomes a wonderful business that can help the rural poor and benefit more people. The breeders have artificially increased populations by attracting swifts to breed in houses with tapes of their songs and once this is done the swifts hatched in these houses 'home' in to their cave, just like turtles born on a beach will go back to the same beach to lay their own eggs. Inside the houses there are hundreds if not thousands of birds- ideally you need a population of about 800 birds to make the place viable as a nest producer. Breeders take the nests, forcing swifts to keep making new ones. In areas of Thailand where swift breeding has taken place on a large scale the insect population is now not enough to sustain the number of birds- artificial over population is now ruining their business. The natural equilibrium has been upset. In George Town the swift population has increased dramatically. Residents of high-rises see swarms of them fly by in the morning and evening as they fly out and back from feeding grounds. They are now a pest. Breeders have only 1 vision- the money. They have not thought of the consequences to the public. The last State government said they should go at the end of 2008. The current State government then said they must go at the end of 2009 and has now gone soft and forgotten about public health. The breeders have continued to expand their business despite the State saying that they may be removed, that they don't comply with regulations, have no licenses etc. The veterinary department clearly states that swift houses should be a certain distance away from residences- 100 metres is stated- yet breeders continue to set up houses next to people's homes. If the State or the authorities enforce the rules the breeders should move out and forfeit their investments. They have only themselves to blame if this happens. They took the risk. Director of Veterinary Services', Dr. Fadzilah Aini Abdul Kadir, report on guidelines for swiftlet farming entitled, "Good Animal Husbandry Practice (GAHP) for Swiftlets." In the report, she states: Housing or premise of these birds must be located at least 100 meter radius from any urban settlement. This is the distance approved for the Ministry of Science and Environment for sound pollution travel. Or otherwise the farm house should be located on agricultural land strata. Housing of these swiftlets within the cities infrastructure is forbidden. The use of heritage buildings for these swiftlets ranching is against the law. Wouldn't it just be fantastic if the authorities actually did their job and protect the rakyat? Instead they act lame and allow a situation to get out of hand. Iron should come live next to a swift house instead of yapping on about dogs. The noise of a thousand birds is terrible, the droppings are terrible, they smell and they damage homes.They do come into contact with birds that carry avian disease, they are full of mites. Is Iron a morally good man? Is Iron a swift breeder in disguise? Is he willing to allow his fellow Malaysians to become ill because he prefers money to morals? Iron should take some lessons of his own! Swifts, swiftlets and swallows are all different species of bird. The little swiftlets that everyone wants to breed make nests with their saliva. During the day they fly to feed above agricultural and forest areas. This is the only way they feed and they eat insects. They do not eat seeds or meat and they do not come down to the ground to feed. At intervals during the day and at night, they come back to their artificial caves- – to rest and sleep and breed. They drink by flying over pools of water and scooping water up with their beak, or through rain and sprays of water- thus the sprinkler systems set up on outside walls of these swift houses.

Originally they would have used caves but have learnt, and then have been attracted to breed in houses. It is a fact that they prefer to be near their natural feeding grounds which is why ideally the breeders should custom build swift houses away from residential and urban areas and out in agricultural areas so that the swifts have easy access to small insects. Also, this way the swift houses will not become a public health menace. This way swift breeding becomes a wonderful business that can help the rural poor and benefit more people.

The breeders have artificially increased populations by attracting swifts to breed in houses with tapes of their songs and once this is done the swifts hatched in these houses ‘home’ in to their cave, just like turtles born on a beach will go back to the same beach to lay their own eggs.

Inside the houses there are hundreds if not thousands of birds- ideally you need a population of about 800 birds to make the place viable as a nest producer. Breeders take the nests, forcing swifts to keep making new ones.

In areas of Thailand where swift breeding has taken place on a large scale the insect population is now not enough to sustain the number of birds- artificial over population is now ruining their business. The natural equilibrium has been upset.

In George Town the swift population has increased dramatically. Residents of high-rises see swarms of them fly by in the morning and evening as they fly out and back from feeding grounds. They are now a pest.

Breeders have only 1 vision- the money. They have not thought of the consequences to the public. The last State government said they should go at the end of 2008. The current State government then said they must go at the end of 2009 and has now gone soft and forgotten about public health. The breeders have continued to expand their business despite the State saying that they may be removed, that they don’t comply with regulations, have no licenses etc. The veterinary department clearly states that swift houses should be a certain distance away from residences- 100 metres is stated- yet breeders continue to set up houses next to people’s homes. If the State or the authorities enforce the rules the breeders should move out and forfeit their investments. They have only themselves to blame if this happens. They took the risk.

Director of Veterinary Services’, Dr. Fadzilah Aini Abdul Kadir, report on guidelines for swiftlet farming entitled, “Good Animal Husbandry Practice (GAHP) for Swiftlets.” In the report, she states:

Housing or premise of these birds must be located at least 100 meter radius from any urban settlement. This is the distance approved for the Ministry of Science and Environment for sound pollution travel. Or otherwise the farm house should be located on agricultural land strata. Housing of these swiftlets within the cities infrastructure is forbidden. The use of heritage buildings for these swiftlets ranching is against the law.

Wouldn’t it just be fantastic if the authorities actually did their job and protect the rakyat? Instead they act lame and allow a situation to get out of hand.

Iron should come live next to a swift house instead of yapping on about dogs. The noise of a thousand birds is terrible, the droppings are terrible, they smell and they damage homes.They do come into contact with birds that carry avian disease, they are full of mites. Is Iron a morally good man? Is Iron a swift breeder in disguise? Is he willing to allow his fellow Malaysians to become ill because he prefers money to morals?

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]]> By: wira http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/george-town-going-to-the-birds/comment-page-1/#comment-41230 wira Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:59:03 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/?p=19522#comment-41230 Personally, I am not annoyed by the swiftlets because I don't live near a breeding house. However, you should talk to those who live near one. The birds, by themselves, are a lot less annoying than the artificial chirps which are carried by loudspeakers/twitters mounted at those breeding houses. I am told that those speakers are turned on at regular hours throughout the day and into the night. The local authority should enact laws to protect the neighbourhood against such rude encroachments. They should also look at the health aspects of such breedings because unlike dogs, swiftlets do not follow quarantine rules. They may carry avian diseases which are deadly to humans. Personally, I am not annoyed by the swiftlets because I don’t live near a breeding house.

However, you should talk to those who live near one.
The birds, by themselves, are a lot less annoying than the artificial chirps which are carried by loudspeakers/twitters mounted at those breeding houses.

I am told that those speakers are turned on at regular hours throughout the day and into the night.

The local authority should enact laws to protect the neighbourhood against such rude encroachments.
They should also look at the health aspects of such breedings because unlike dogs, swiftlets do not follow quarantine rules. They may carry avian diseases which are deadly to humans.

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