In biology, nidifugous organisms are those that leave the nest shortly after hatching or birth. The term is derived from Latin nidus for "nest" and fugere, meaning "to flee". The terminology is most o
Nidifugous (Precocial)—California quail chicks.
Nidicolous (Altricial)—The chicks and eggs of budgerigar
Precocial species in birds and mammals are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. They are normally nidifugous, meaning that they leave the nes
Nidifugous and nidicolous organisms
…initial size; in nidifugous animals, it expands from 1.5 to 2.5 times. Two other terms are also used by scientists for related developmental phenomena: altricial (relatively undeveloped at birth or hatching; helpless, blind, without feathers or hair, and unable to fend for themselves) and precocial (relatively…
A young chick stands up. Chickens are precocial birds and can stand shortly after hatching.
Altricial young birds
A foal and its mother, a precocial mammal.