Fledge

bird, bat or other flighted creature learning how to fly

Fledge is the stage in a young bird's life when the feathers and wing muscles become developed enough for flight.[1] It also describes the act of a chick's parents raising it until it is fully grown. A young bird that has recently fledged but still needs care and feeding is called a fledgling.

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

In ornithology, fledging has many meanings, depending on species. Birds are sometimes considered fledged once they leave the nest, even if they still cannot fly.

References

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  1. "Fledge - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary". merriam-webster.com. 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2011.