swiftlet

American  

[swift-lit] / ˈswɪft lɪt /

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.

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swiftlet British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of swiftlet

First recorded in 1890–95; swift + -let

Example Sentences

Mr. Suhardi, not expecting the swiftlet situation to improve anytime soon, has shifted to planting avocado and durian.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2024

Government officials say Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of swiftlet nests.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2024

Specifically, the swiftlet, which builds its nests inside.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2024

“Safety, by keeping pests and predators away. The swiftlet house must be really clean. They don’t even like spiders.”

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2024

In my opinion, this bird is misnamed the edible-nest swiftlet, because a considerable quantity of grass and feathers is worked into the nest, and I, for my part, find neither grass nor feathers edible.

From Birds of the Indian Hills by Dewar, Douglas