Retiree pedals 100km to sell nests

Retiree pedals 100km to sell nests

For 67-year-old Mad Desa Ahmad, no distance is insurmountable so long as he has his trusty old bicycle.

The retired Water Supply Department employee of Seberang Perai, Penang, is prepared to pedal more than 100km to sell the abandoned Baya Weaver birds' nests which he collects.

He hangs more than 10 nests on his bicycle each time he goes out to sell his unique ware, a business that started as a hobby more than 15 years ago.

The uniqueness of the nest and its scarcity has made it a coveted decorative item.

The nest comes in many shapes and sizes and each is sold for between RM20 and RM50.

A customer (right) looking at the nests hanging on the bicycle

Mad Desa, who enjoys cycling, said he was prepared to ride from his house in Taman Semarak, Kulim, to Selama in Perak, to look for the nests.

"I only collect the abandoned nests on trees such as the coconut and mangrove and will not touch the nests with nestlings," he said.

Mad Desa said he would spend the night anywhere, including putting up at homes of relatives while out looking for the nests.

He said riding long distances was not a problem because, apart from enjoying it, the activity "gives me a lucrative income". Bernama

Images: Bernama

Published Oct 30, 2011