Definition

Noun: * Apus apus: The scientific name for the common swift, a small migratory bird of the family Apodidae. It is characterized by long, slender wings, a short forked tail, and a distinctive high-pitched screaming call. It is an extremely aerial bird, spending most of its life in flight, and typically nests in colonies on cliffs or under the eaves of buildings.

Usage

• Scientific Context: Used in ornithology and formal biological texts to precisely identify the species.
  • The study focused on the migratory patterns of Apus apus.
• General Descriptive Context: Can be used to add precision or a formal tone when discussing the common swift.
  • We observed a large flock of Apus apus circling above the old church tower.

Advanced Usage

• Binomial Nomenclature: follows the Linnaean system, where the first part () is the genus and the second part () is the specific epithet. When written, the entire binomial is italicized.
  • The genus Apus contains several swift species, including Apus apus.

Variants and Related Words

• Common Swift (n): The standard English name for .
• Swift (n): The common name for birds in the family Apodidae, which includes .
• Apodidae (n): The biological family name for swifts.

Synonyms

• Common Swift
• European Swift

Related Phrases / Collocations

• Colony of Apus apus: Refers to a group nesting together.
  • A large colony of Apus apus has returned to the cathedral.
• Migration of Apus apus: Refers to its seasonal journeys.
  • The migration of Apus apus spans from Europe to sub-Saharan Africa.

Noun

1. common European bird with a shrieking call that nests chiefly about eaves of buildings or on cliffs