tree swift

7.7

A bird from Southeast Asia with an upright crest that makes nests in trees

noun

Philippine

: vencejo de los árboles

Unlike common swifts, the tree swift often builds its nest high in the branches of trees.

Examples

The tree swift is notable for its elegant flight and unique nesting habits.
Several species of tree swift are found in the forests of Indonesia and Malaysia.
The tree swift flew gracefully through the forest.
Have you ever seen a tree swift up close?
Several species of tree swift are found in the forests of Indonesia and Malaysia.
The tree swift is notable for its elegant flight and unique nesting habits.
Unlike common swifts, the tree swift often builds its nest high in the branches of trees.

Synonyms

crested swift

vstree swift

Philippine

9.5

A small fast bird from Southeast Asia with an upright crest that nests in trees

has identical meaning but uses a different common name

Surface Forms

tree swift singular

tree swifts plural

Morphology

tree + swift

The compound is transparently built from 'tree' (habitat/association) + 'swift' (a bird), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a kind of swift associated with trees or tree‑nesting behavior. Noun‑noun compounds of this type are common in English and cross‑linguistically, making the overall meaning accessible to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The name tree swift comes from a simple picture: a fast bird, a swift, that makes its nest high in a tree. So the name means 'a swift that lives and nests in trees', which fits the birds found in parts of Southeast Asia.