also: たいわんしょうどうつばめ
brown-throated martin; brown-throated sand martin
A small swallow-like bird (Riparia paludicola) found in parts of Asia. The name is a taxonomic term; in everyday Japanese, it may be referred to simply as a type of ツバメ.
The brown-throated martin digs its nest burrows in riverbanks.
ツバメ is the general term for swallows and martins. タイワンショウドウツバメ is a specific species.
Kanji spelling is rare and mostly used in taxonomic or formal contexts. The word is usually written in katakana.
The name is a compound of 台湾 (Taiwan), 小 (small), 洞 (hole/cave), and 燕 (swallow/martin), likely a direct translation of the English or scientific name. The exact derivation is uncertain.