swiftlet

[ swift-lit ]

noun

1. any of several swifts of the genus Collocalia, of southeastern Asia, the East Indies, and Australia, certain species of which use saliva to construct nests, which are used in making bird's-nest soup.

swiftlet

/ ˈswɪftlɪt /

noun

1. any of various small swifts of the Asian genus Collocalia that often live in caves and use echolocation: the nests, which are made of hardened saliva, are used in oriental cookery to make birds' nest soup

Word History and Origins

Origin of swiftlet¹

First recorded in 1890–95; swift + -let

Example Sentences

Specifically, the swiftlet, which builds its nests inside.

From New York Times

It is the nests of swiftlets that is used.

From Washington Post

Other prehistoric animals that dropped off the face of the Earth around that time were species of crocodiles, turtles, and several birds, like ancient flamingo-like palaelodids, swiftlets, pigeons, parrots, and shorebirds.

From National Geographic

It requires a special kind of nest, made by a particular species of swiftlet, a tropical bird mostly found in Southeast Asia.

From New York Times

Demand for bird’s nest soup, which is made from the saliva-based nests of the swiftlet, is driving those birds to extinction.

From National Geographic