precocial

[ pri-koh-shuhl ]

adjective

, Biology.

1. (of an animal species) active and able to move freely from birth or hatching and requiring little parental care ( altricial ).

precocial

/ prɪˈkəʊʃəl /

adjective

1. (of the young of some species of birds after hatching) covered with down, having open eyes, and capable of leaving the nest within a few days of hatching

noun

1. a precocial bird

precocial

/ prĭ-kō′shəl /

1. Born or hatched in a condition requiring relatively little parental care, as by having hair or feathers, open eyes, and the ability to move about. Water birds, reptiles, and herd animals usually have precocial young.
2. Compare altricial

Word History and Origins

Origin of precocial¹

First recorded in 1870–75; precoci(ous) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of precocial¹

C19: see precocious

Example Sentences

Ducks are what scientists call precocial birds — capable of feeding, swimming and walking soon after hatching.

From New York Times

But most waterfowl young are precocial, which means they're fluffy, open-eyed, and capable of leaving the nest soon after hatching.

From National Geographic

Even "precocial" creatures — ones that are able to move around almost immediately after hatching — come out of the egg with fluffy down feathers that eventually molt and are replaced by the feathers needed for flight.

From Washington Post

The word for this immediate independence, by the way, is "precocial," which comes from the same root as "precocious," which I personally find delightful.

From Washington Post

"The main conclusion was that this is the first evidence for a truly precocial dinosaur: one that matured rapidly and without parental care," Adelphi University paleontologist Michael D'Emic added.

From Reuters