Nestling: meaning, definitions and examples

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nestling

[ˈnɛslɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

baby bird

A young bird that has not yet left its nest and is typically still covered with down feathers. Nestlings rely on their parents to bring them food and keep them warm until they are ready to fly.

Synonyms

baby bird, chick, fledgling.

Examples of usage

The nestling chirped loudly as its mother flew back to the nest with a worm.
The nestling eagerly awaited its next meal from its attentive parents.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

young child

A young child who is still dependent on their parents for care and support. Nestlings in human families require love, attention, and guidance as they grow and learn.

Synonyms

child, offspring, youngster.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
nestling	This term is often used in the context of birds and means a young bird that is still in the nest or hasn't left the nest yet. The mother bird fed her nestlings early in the morning. The nestlings chirped loudly as they waited for their next meal.
child	This is a general term used to refer to a young human being below the age of puberty. The child held his mother's hand while crossing the street. Every child deserves access to good education.
offspring	This term can refer to the young of a person, animal or plant. It is a more formal word than 'child' and can be used in scientific contexts. The lioness protected her offspring from the threat. Scientists studied the offspring of the genetically modified plants.
youngster	This term is often used informally to describe children or young people, typically emphasizing their youthful energy and potential. The youngsters played soccer at the park all afternoon. There is a special program aimed at helping youngsters develop their skills.

Examples of usage

The little nestling held onto their parent's hand tightly as they crossed the street.
Even as a teenager, he remained a nestling in his parents' eyes, always seeking their approval.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'nestling' combines 'nest' (a bird's home) and the suffix '-ling,' meaning 'small' or 'young.'
It first appeared in English literature around the late 15th century, showcasing the importance of birds in nature.
Nesting behavior and related terminology reflect deep human connections to nature and wildlife.

Wildlife

Nestlings rely heavily on their parents for food and warmth until they can fly independently.
Some species of birds, like robins, have a unique method of feeding their nestlings by regurgitating pre-digested food.
Most nestlings go through several stages before flying: hatching, growing feathers, and learning to flap their wings.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, the nurturing of nestlings symbolizes family, protection, and growth.
Artistic representations often use nestlings to express themes of innocence and vulnerability in nature.
Children's stories frequently feature birds and their nestlings to teach lessons about caring for others and the cycle of life.

Conservation

Many conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting sites to ensure the survival of various bird species during their vulnerable nestling stage.
Urban development can disrupt nesting habits, which affects the growth and safety of nestlings in cities.
Birdwatching communities often engage in nestling monitoring programs to study growth patterns and promote species preservation.

Psychology

Studies suggest that observing nestlings and their parents generates feelings of warmth, nurturing, and connection in humans.
Nestlings represent the concept of dependence, prompting reflections on our own childhood experiences.
Birdsong from parent birds caring for nestlings has been found to reduce stress and enhance mood in listeners.

Translations

Translations of the word "nestling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pássaro jovem

🇮🇳 चूजा

🇩🇪 Nestling

🇮🇩 anak burung

🇺🇦 пташеня

🇵🇱 pisklę

🇯🇵 雛鳥（ひなどり）

🇫🇷 oisillon

🇪🇸 pichón

🇹🇷 yavru kuş

🇰🇷 아기 새

🇸🇦 فرخ

🇨🇿 ptáče

🇸🇰 vtáčatko

🇨🇳 雏鸟 (chúniǎo)

🇸🇮 mladič

🇮🇸 ungfugl

🇰🇿 балапан

🇬🇪 ბარტყი

🇦🇿 cibik

🇲🇽 pichón

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,298, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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23295 greenery
23296 coalesced
23297 sneaked
23298 nestling
23299 loitering
23300 relaying
23301 croup
...