Fledge

A Common Myna fledgling rests on a lawn below its nest.

Fledge is the stage in a young bird's life when the feathers and wing muscles become developed enough for flight. It also describes the act of a chick's parents raising it until it is fully grown. A young bird that has recently fledged but still needs care and feeding is called a fledgling.

In ornithology, fledging has many meanings, depending on species. Birds are sometimes considered fledged once they leave the nest, even if they still cannot fly.

Fledge Media

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  Fledging stage of the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

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  A pair of welcome swallow chicks, Hirundo neoxena, taken the day after they fledged.

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  A pigeon fledgling on a tiled floor