swiftlet

Everyday

A small bird of the swift family living in tropical Asia and Australia, many of which nest in caves and find their way in the dark with clicking sounds (echolocation). tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it is an example of a bird that uses echolocation like bats. In geography, some swiftlets make nests of their own spit that people collect for bird's nest soup. Phrases: cave swiftlet, edible-nest swiftlet.

Examples

• Swiftlets nest high on the walls of dark caves. tree →
• A swiftlet clicks to find its way in the dark. tree →
• Some swiftlets build nests from their own spit. tree →
• Bird's nest soup is made from swiftlet nests. tree →
• Swiftlets catch insects while flying. tree →
• The cave was full of the sound of swiftlets. tree →

Note

Countable. The -let ending means small (like piglet, booklet). Swiftlets are not swallows, though they look alike.