Are you finding baby birds around your home this season? In the world of ornithology, the terminology used to describe baby birds can be as diverse as the birds themselves. Here’s a look at some general terms you can use to refer to baby birds at different stages as they grow up–and some baby names that are specific to different bird species!
Baby Bird Terms
Clutch: A clutch is the group of eggs from which the baby birds will emerge.
Brood: The clutch of eggs becomes a brood when the eggs are hatched. Similar to a litter of cats or dogs, a brood is a group of baby birds with the same parents.
Hatchling: A hatchling is a bird who has just emerged from the egg–he’s just hatched! He may not have his eyes open yet and may be covered in nothing more than a little down. A hatchling is no more than a few days old.
Nestling: After the first few days, the hatchling becomes a nestling. Like a toddler, he’s more active now but is still toddling around and still dependent on his mother (who is called a Fledge) or, in some species, both his mother and father. The nestling will start growing flight feathers–and you very well may hear nestlings demanding food when mom returns to the nest.
Fledgling: A fledgling is a young bird who has gained his feathers (or most of them) and is ready to fly. The term comes from the Old English word flycge which means “having feathers or fit to fly.” When the fledgling leaves the nest (which at this age is a lot of hopping and awkward flying), he is fledging.
Juvenile: The juvenile bird is close to adult size now, although you may still see the adult birds feeding him. His markings may be different from his parents; often bird guides will have a separate identifying photo or drawing for juvenile birds.
Subadult: The subadult is grown and has left the nest. He can care for himself but is still maturing and not yet breeding. Some large birds like eagles remain subadults for several years!
Species Specific Terms
Along with the general terms mentioned above, there are also species-specific names for these bird babies:
- Chickens: Poult, cockerel (male), pullet (female)
- Cranes: Colt
- Doves: Squab, squeaker
- Ducks: Duckling
- Eagles: Eaglet
- Falcons: Eyas (a young falcon or hawk, especially one that is still in its fledgling stage and has not yet learned to fly)
- Geese: Gosling
- Grouse: Cheeper, squealer
- Guineafowl: Keet
- Loons: Loonlet
- Owls: Owlet
- Puffins: Puffling
- Sandpipers: Peep
- Swans: Cygnet, flapper
- Turkeys: Poult (baby turkeys during their first month of life), jake (male), jenny (female)
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