So, now I have a continuous overview of a bird's lifecycle terminology from
egg to adult; well, it's a good beginning. Thank you, Maureen Ellis
me2 at u.washington.edu Seattle, WA
*********************************************
On Mon, 5 Feb 1996, Dan Stephens wrote:

> In message <Pine.PTX.3.91j.960205094015.22984A-100000 at carson.u.washington.edu>
> writes:
> > Dan et al,
> >
> > Your out-of-the-nest definitions for juvenile, immature, and subadult are
> > essentially those I recently encountered. Thanks for clarifying the use of
> > juvenile (noun) and juvenal (adjective). Question: A bird in natal down is
> > a hatchling, nestling or fledgling depending on stage of behavioral
> > development? Can the terms juvenile or immature be applied to birds still
> > in the nest? I'm asking in reference to what is appropriate in
> > professional ornithology journal or communication styles.
> >
> Maureen, Hatchling usually refers to a bird that is only a few hours old.
> Nestling to a bird still in the nest (includes hatchling), and fledgling to
> a bird that has just left the nest, has feathers but they are not fully
> developed (are weak flyers), and depends on its parents for food.
>
>
> Dan Stephens (509) 662-7443
> Dept. of Biology fax: (509) 664-2538
> Wenatchee Valley College e-mail: dstephen at ctc.edu
> 1300 Fifth Street
> Wenatchee, WA 98801
>
>