adjective
- of young birds or mammals: capable of moving about and feeding themselves shortly after birth or hatching
Usage: zoology; biology
Examples
- Ducklings are precocial birds that can swim and find food within hours of hatching.
- Unlike precocial species, many songbirds are born helpless and require extensive parental care.
- The precocial young of deer can stand and walk shortly after birth.
- Chickens are considered precocial because chicks can leave the nest immediately after hatching.
- Scientists study the differences between precocial and altricial development patterns.
- Most game birds produce precocial offspring that can quickly escape predators.