swiftlet

1 9.9

A small fast bird from parts of Asia and Australia that makes nests people eat

noun
/ˈswɪflɪt/

Australian

: swiftlet

Scientists have studied the unique way swiftlets use echolocation to navigate in the dark.
swiftlet nest

Examples

Many caves in Southeast Asia are protected due to their large swiftlet populations.
The edible nests built by swiftlets are a delicacy in Chinese cuisine.
Look at that swiftlet!
The swiftlet flew gracefully through the trees.
Bird's nest soup is made from the nests of swiftlets found in Southeast Asia.
Many high-end restaurants serve swiftlet nests as a delicacy in their dishes.
In the mornings, swiftlets can be seen flying swiftly over the coastline in search of insects.

Synonyms

Collocalia inexpectata

vsswiftlet

Specialized

9.9

A small fast Asian bird whose nests people use to make bird's nest soup

is a general small fast bird that makes edible nests across a wider region

Collocalia

vsswiftlet

Australian

9.9

A group of small birds like swifts from Southeast Asia and the Pacific, some of which make edible nests

is a specific small fast bird that makes edible nests across eastern Asia

How Big

pigeon

247 1.0

swallow

15 2.1

swiftlet

Australian

1 9.9

wren

5 2.2

hummingbird

31 1.4

Surface Forms

swiftlet singular

swiftlets plural

Morphology

swiftlet = swift (transparent) = swift + let

The formation is a straightforward diminutive: 'swift' (the bird) + '-let' meaning a small example of that bird, a pattern easily recognized by learners.

Etymology

The word swiftlet is made from the word swift ('fast') and the ending -let ('small'), like in booklet or piglet, so it literally means a 'small swift'. These tiny, fast birds of eastern Asia are famous for building edible nests used in bird's nest soup.