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cliff swallow
noun
: a colonial swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) of the New World with a pale buff rump and dark throat patch that builds mud nests resembling jugs especially under eaves and on cliffs
Examples of cliff swallow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Since last week, 16 species of North American land birds have been spotted in Britain and Ireland, including several species of warblers, one northern parula, 10 cliff swallows and three Baltimore orioles, Dr. Lees said.
—Derrick Bryson Taylor, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2023
At the end of the summer, Southern California waves goodbye to migrating cliff swallows, hooded orioles, and black-headed grosbeaks.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2023
To the south in Iowa, boaters on the Upper Iowa River can enjoy towering limestone bluffs, natural springs, chimney rock formations, beaver dams and cliff swallow nests.
—Ellen Wulfhorst, USA TODAY, 29 May 2023
Other sightings around the Cape included 5 purple martins and a cliff swallow in Mashpee, a willet in West Dennis, a glaucous gull in Osterville, indigo buntings in Hyannis and Chatham, blue-gray gnatcatchers in Harwich and Eastham, and an early great-crested flycatcher and house wren in Orleans.
—BostonGlobe.com, 20 Apr. 2022
Guests are reminded of the city's iconic cliff swallows through the artistic check-in area background and the signature logo that's seen property-wide.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2023
Bulldozer, meet cliff swallow.
—Bruce Selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, 16 June 2021
Sightings included a willow flycatcher, a white-eyed vireo, a cliff swallow, two purple martins, and two Northern parulas.
—BostonGlobe.com, 19 June 2021
There are 30 or so cliff swallow nests, each on average holding five chicks.
—Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 11 Aug. 2020
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Word History
First Known Use
1823, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cliff swallow
Cite this Entry
“Cliff swallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cliff%20swallow. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on cliff swallow
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cliff swallow
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