Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Apus apus

Apus apus

9.9
A small dark bird with long wings that flies fast and nests under roofs and cliffs
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Apus apus
  • The Apus apus is commonly seen nesting under rooftops in European cities during summer.

Examples

  • Identification of Apus apus can be aided by its distinctive silhouette and high-pitched calls.

  • Many ornithologists study Apus apus to understand migratory patterns in swifts.

  • The Apus apus can often be seen darting through the skies.

  • Did you know that the Apus apus spends most of its life in the air?

  • The Apus apus, known for its shrieking call, can often be seen nesting under eaves in towns and cities.

  • Ornithologists often observe the Apus apus to gather data on its nesting habits and behavior.

  • Every summer, the Apus apus returns to Europe, nesting in buildings and cliffs across the continent.

Synonyms

European swift
vsApus apus
  • UK
5.7

A common fast bird with long, narrow wings and a high, piercing call that nests under roof edges

is the formal scientific name used in taxonomy and scientific writing

Surface Forms

Apus apus singular
Apus apus plural

Morphology

Apus + Apus

This is a Linnaean binomial (genus + species) that literally denotes a species of the genus Apus, so a learner who knows 'Apus' as a genus of swifts can infer it refers to a particular swift. However, understanding that the repetition is a species name and that binomial conventions are being used requires domain-specific knowledge of taxonomy which a typical B1 learner may not have, so the meaning is only partially predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Apus apus comes from Greek parts a (meaning 'without') and pus (meaning 'foot'), because these swifts have very small legs and spend most of their time flying. They seem to fly 'without feet', so the name fits the common swift.