fledgeling

Fledgeling refers to a young bird that has grown its juvenile feathers and is capable of flight, but has not yet fully matured. At this stage, the bird's plumage may still be a mottled mix of juvenile and adult feathers, and its flight capabilities may be unsteady.

Not all bird species go through a clear fledgling stage, with some young birds bursting forth from their nests with a complete set of adult feathers. However, in many species, young birds do go through a brief period of flightlessness or semi-flightlessness before developing the skills and physical attributes necessary for adult flight.

During the fledgling stage, birds are highly dependent on their parents for food and protection. They may still be in the nest or dependent on nearby tall objects for support, and will often make unsteady, wing-beating attempts at flight.

As the fledgling develops and matures, it becomes more independent, eventually fully fledged and capable of sustained flight. In many bird species, the rate of development and the timing of the fledgling stage can be highly variable, influenced by factors such as climate, availability of food, and predation pressure.

The term "fledgeling" is often used more broadly to refer to any young person or animal that is still in a developmental stage, but it specifically refers to the brief period in the life of a bird during which it is capable of, but not yet fully skilful in, flight.