Fledge facts for kids

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

When a young bird is ready to leave its nest and start flying, it's called to fledge. This is an exciting time when a bird's feathers and wing muscles are strong enough for flight. It also means that the parent birds have finished raising their chick until it's almost grown up. A young bird that has just left the nest but still needs its parents to feed and care for it is known as a fledgling.

In the study of birds, called ornithology, the exact moment a bird is "fledged" can be a bit different depending on the type of bird. Sometimes, birds are considered fledged as soon as they leave their nest, even if they can't fly perfectly yet.

What is Fledging?

Fledging is a very important stage in a young bird's life cycle. It's the point when a baby bird, called a chick, grows enough to leave its nest for good. Before this, the chicks are completely dependent on their parents for food and protection inside the nest.

The Journey to Flight

For most birds, fledging means they are strong enough to fly. Their feathers, especially their flight feathers on their wings and tail, are fully grown. Their wing muscles are also developed and ready for the hard work of flying.

However, some birds might leave the nest before they can fly well. They might hop around on the ground or in nearby bushes. Their parents will still follow them and feed them until they can fly properly and find their own food.

Life as a Fledgling

A fledgling looks a lot like an adult bird, but it might still have some fluffy baby feathers or look a bit clumsy. Fledglings are often seen near their nests, practicing their flying and landing skills. They might also make loud calls to their parents, asking for food.

Parent birds continue to care for their fledglings for a while. They teach them how to find food, avoid dangers, and survive on their own. This period can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the bird species.

Why is Fledging Important?

Fledging is a big step for young birds. It allows them to become independent and eventually find their own mates and raise their own families. It also helps reduce crowding in the nest, which can be important for the health of the chicks.

Once a bird has successfully fledged and learned to survive on its own, it is called a juvenile or an immature bird. It will continue to grow and learn until it reaches adulthood.

Images for kids

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

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  Fledgling stage of the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

See also

In Spanish: Emplumecer para niños