Objective To search for methods to discern the true edible bird's nest from the false.Method UV Spectrum and amino acid analysis were used for the identification and then the results were confirmed by HPLC-MS-MS.Results The natural edible bird's nest had a peak absorption at 280 nm. The contents of amino acids in natural edible bird's nest were higher than those in the false bird's nest made with white fungus and pigskin. The predominant amino acids in natural bird's nest were Asp, Leu, Tyr, Glu, Val, Ser and Phe, but these in false bird's nest were Ile, Gly and Ala.Conclusion The established methods were feasible for the identification.