Definition

Noun: A bird that is still young; a bird that has not yet reached full maturity or adulthood. This term refers to a bird in its early stages of life, typically after hatching from an egg but before it has developed the full plumage, independence, or size of an adult of its species.

Usage

The term "young bird" is a general, descriptive noun phrase used to specify the age class of a bird. It is commonly used in ornithology, wildlife observation, and general conversation. - It is often used to distinguish immature birds from adult birds. - It can refer to various specific stages, such as a nestling (a bird too young to leave the nest) or a fledgling (a young bird that has developed feathers and is learning to fly).

Examples

• The biologist carefully banded the young bird to track its migration patterns.
• We found a young bird that had fallen from its nest and returned it safely.
• In spring, the garden is full of young birds learning to find food.
• That young bird cannot fly very well yet; it must have just left the nest.

Advanced Usage

• As a collective term: The phrase can be used in a non-countable sense to refer to young birds as a group or concept.
  • The study focused on the survival rates of young bird in urban environments.
• In compound nouns (listed separately below): The core term "young bird" itself is a noun phrase. Specific types of young birds are often described with compound nouns or more precise terms.

Variants and Related Words

• Nestling (n): A young bird that is still confined to the nest.
• Fledgling (n): A young bird that has grown its flight feathers and is learning to fly.
• Chick (n): A common term for a young bird, especially of domestic fowl or other specific species.
• Hatchling (n): A very recently hatched young bird.
• Juvenile (n): A technical term for a young bird, often one in its first plumage which differs from the adult's.

Synonyms

• Juvenile bird: A more formal synonym.
• Immature bird: Emphasizes the stage of development.
• Nestling/Fledgling: More specific synonyms for particular stages.

Related Phrases

• Brood of young birds: Refers to a group of young birds hatched at the same time from the same parents.
• To raise a young bird: The act of caring for and feeding a young bird until it is independent.

Noun

1. a bird that is still young