fledge
Ready for flight
Fledge describes the process by which young birds develop feathers sufficient for flight, or leave the nest once capable of flying: The eaglets fledged in early July.
By extension, to fledge someone is to bring them to readiness—to rear or prepare them for independence.
A fledgling is a young bird that has just fledged, or figuratively, any person or enterprise that is new and inexperienced: a fledgling company, a fledgling democracy.
Fully grown or developed
- full-grownAt maximum size
- ripeReady to eat
- seasonedFlavored or battle-tested
- developedGrew or advanced
adult · established · experienced · coming-of-age · ripening · blossoming · flourishing · prime
Bird's complete feather coat
- pinfeathersDeveloping feathers still sheathed
- downToward lower ground
- flight feathersBird's main wing plumes
- wingLimb enabling flight
molting · preen · quills · coverts · barbs · contour · nestling · avian
Begin living independently
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- emancipationRelease from legal bondage
first flight · solo · on one's own · empowerment · self-determination · freedom · departure · launch
Support growth and development
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
tutelage · coaching · instruction · learning · preparation · upbringing · readiness · cultivation
mature
Fully grown or developed
- full-grownAt maximum size
- ripeReady to eat
- seasonedFlavored or battle-tested
developed · adult · established · experienced · coming-of-age · ripening · blossoming · flourishing · prime · complete
plumage
Bird's complete feather coat
- pinfeathersDeveloping feathers still sheathed
- downToward lower ground
- flight feathersBird's main wing plumes
wing · molting · preen · quills · coverts · barbs · contour · nestling · avian · ornithology
leave the nest
Begin living independently
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
emancipation · first flight · solo · on one's own · empowerment · self-determination · freedom · departure · launch · striking out
nurture
Support growth and development
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
guidance · tutelage · coaching · instruction · learning · preparation · upbringing · readiness · cultivation · formation
- fully fledgedCompletely trained and qualified
fledgling, unfledged, fledglings, fledging, fledged, fledges