fledged

Fledged is an adjective used in ornithology to describe a young bird that has developed a full set of wing and tail feathers and is capable of flight, or at least independent from intensive parental care. The term derives from the verb fledge, meaning to furnish a young bird with feathers.

In the life cycle of birds, several terms describe stages of development. A nestling is typically featherless or only partly feathered, while a fledgling has some wing feathers and may make short flights but is often still fed by parents. A fledged bird has reached a level of plumage and motor ability that allows sustained flight and greater independence, though the exact criteria can vary among species. The timing of fledging is highly species-specific; many passerines fledge a couple of weeks after hatching, whereas in precocial species, which are relatively mature at birth, the concept of fledging is less applicable.

Fledging marks a transition from dependent juvenile to more autonomous individual. Even after becoming flight-capable, some young birds continue to receive parental care or follow adults while learning foraging skills. Environmental factors such as food availability, predation pressure, and habitat quality influence the timing and success of fledging.

Beyond aviculture and biology, the term has a figurative use. In general language, “fully fledged” describes something fully developed or established, such as a “fully fledged member” of a group or a “fully fledged program.”