Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Describing a developmental state in birds and some other animals: A "precocial" hatchling or newborn is relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. These young are typically covered with down, have their eyes open, and are capable of leaving the nest and feeding themselves within a short time (often a few days).

Usage

• The term "precocial" is primarily used in biology, zoology, and ornithology to describe a specific reproductive strategy. It contrasts with "altricial," where the young are born helpless, blind, and require extensive parental care.
• It is used to modify nouns like hatchling, young, chick, offspring, species, or bird.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ducks and chickens are examples of precocial birds; their chicks can walk and feed shortly after hatching.
  • The precocial young of the killdeer are able to leave the nest scrape within hours of drying off.
  • Compared to altricial songbirds, precocial species have a longer incubation period.

Advanced Usage

• "Precocial development": Refers to the overall pattern of being born in an advanced state.
  • The evolutionary advantage of precocial development is reduced vulnerability to nest predators.
• "Precocial young": A common phrase for the offspring themselves.
  • The mother deer led her precocial young through the forest.

Variants and Related Words

• Precociality (n): The state or quality of being precocial; the precocial condition.
  • The degree of precociality varies among different bird species.
• Altricial (adj): The direct antonym, meaning hatched or born in a helpless state, requiring care and feeding.
  • Robins are altricial; their hatchlings are naked and blind.

Synonyms

• Advanced at birth
• Developed at hatching
• Nidifugous (a more specific zoological term, often used synonymously for birds that leave the nest soon after hatching)

Antonyms

• Altricial
• Helpless at birth
• Nidicolous (a more specific zoological term for species where the young remain in the nest for an extended period)

Adjective

1. (of hatchlings) covered with down and having eyes open; capable of leaving the nest within a few days