nestling
Downy hatchling waiting
A nestling is a young bird still in the nest, not yet able to fly.
The word distinguishes birds at this developmental stage from fledglings, which have left the nest.
By extension, nestling can describe any young or helpless creature.
As a verb form, nestling means snuggling or settling comfortably: The child was nestling against her mother.
Recently emerged young
- chickYoung bird, especially poultry
- juvenileYoung person or animal
- broodHatchlings as a group
- downyHaving soft, fine texture
nestmate · clutch · incubation · eggshell · beak · winglet · pinfeather · gape
Without means to resist
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- helplessUnable to act independently
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- dependentRequiring outside support
exposed · susceptible · unprotected · endangered · precarious · at-risk · imperiled · weak
Warm and snug
- snugComfortably close-fitting
- cuddlingAffectionate close holding
- nuzzlingAffectionate rubbing with nose
- tuckedFolded or pushed in
cradled · enveloped · burrowing · curled · huddled · settling · cushioned · pillowed
Kept from harm
haven · secure · nurtured · shielded · enclosed · insulated · secluded · hideaway
Adjusting blade pitch horizontally
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
- preeningGrooming with vanity
- fluffingMaking something fuller
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
foraging · pecking · maturation · weaning · nutrition · sustenance · instincts · survival
hatchling
Recently emerged young
downy · nestmate · clutch · incubation · eggshell · beak · winglet · pinfeather · gape · unfledged
defenseless
Without means to resist
dependent · exposed · susceptible · unprotected · endangered · precarious · at-risk · imperiled · weak · innocent
cozy
Warm and snug
- snugComfortably close-fitting
- cuddlingAffectionate close holding
- nuzzlingAffectionate rubbing with nose
tucked · cradled · enveloped · burrowing · curled · huddled · settling · cushioned · pillowed · spooning
protected
Kept from harm
sanctuary · haven · secure · nurtured · shielded · enclosed · insulated · secluded · hideaway · harbor
feathering
Adjusting blade pitch horizontally
stretching · foraging · pecking · maturation · weaning · nutrition · sustenance · instincts · survival · adaptation
- affectionhug, kiss, care, cuddle, caress
- animal parentingnursing, weaning, feeding, bonding, teaching
- baby animalspuppy, kitten, chick, chicks, duckling
- hatchlingshatchling, chick, duckling, gosling, cygnet
- placingplacing, positioning, putting, inserting, setting
- young animalspuppy, puppies, kitten, kittens, chick