Word: Nidifugous
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: The word "nidifugous" describes birds that leave their nest shortly after they are born (hatched). Unlike some birds that stay in the nest and rely on their parents for a longer time, nidifugous birds are ready to explore and find food on their own relatively quickly.
Usage Instructions: - "Nidifugous" is a technical term mostly used in scientific contexts, particularly in ornithology (the study of birds). - You might use it when discussing different types of bird behavior, especially in a biology or animal behavior class.
Example Sentence: - "The young chicks of the nidifugous species left the nest within a few hours of hatching to follow their parents."
Advanced Usage: - You can use "nidifugous" in more complex sentences to compare the behaviors of different bird species. - Example: "While some birds exhibit nidifugous behavior, others are altricial, remaining in the nest and depending on their parents for food until they are more developed."
Word Variants: - The noun form is "nidifugousness," which refers to the quality or state of being nidifugous. - There are no direct antonyms, but the opposite behavior is described by the word "altricial," which refers to birds that are born helpless and require extensive care.
Different Meanings: - "Nidifugous" is specific to birds and does not have other meanings in English.
Synonyms: - There are no exact synonyms, but related terms include "precocial," which refers to animals that are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "nidifugous," as it is a specialized term.
In summary, "nidifugous" is an adjective used to describe birds that leave their nests soon after hatching.