Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

''fledge'' capable of flying, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''flegge'', from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] -''flycge''; akin to Old High German ''flucki'' capable of flying, Old English ''flēogan'' to fly  

''fledge'' capable of flying, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''flegge'', from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] -''flycge''; akin to Old High German ''flucki'' capable of flying, Old English ''flēogan'' to fly  

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1566]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1566]

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1: to acquire the feathers [[necessary]] for flight or independent [[activity]]; also : to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers  

*1: to acquire the feathers [[necessary]] for flight or independent [[activity]]; also : to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers  

'''Fledge''' is the [[stage]] in a young bird's life when the feathers and wing muscles are sufficiently developed for flight. It also [[describes]] the [[act]] of a chick's [[parents]] raising it to a fully grown state. A young bird that has recently fledged but is still dependent upon [[parental]] [[care]] and feeding is called a '''fledgling'''.

'''Fledge''' is the [[stage]] in a young bird's life when the feathers and wing muscles are sufficiently developed for flight. It also [[describes]] the [[act]] of a chick's [[parents]] raising it to a fully grown state. A young bird that has recently fledged but is still dependent upon [[parental]] [[care]] and feeding is called a '''fledgling'''.

In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornithology ornithology], the [[meaning]] of fledging varies, depending on [[species]]. Birds are sometimes considered fledged once they leave the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_nest nest], even if they still cannot fly. Some [[definitions]] of fledge take it to mean the [[independence]] of the chick from the adults. Adults will often continue to feed the chick after it has left the nest and is able to fly.

In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornithology ornithology], the [[meaning]] of fledging varies, depending on [[species]]. Birds are sometimes considered fledged once they leave the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_nest nest], even if they still cannot fly. Some [[definitions]] of fledge take it to mean the [[independence]] of the chick from the adults. Adults will often continue to feed the chick after it has left the nest and is able to fly.

One notable [[species]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Murrelet Ancient Murrelet], fledges two days after hatching, running from its burrow to the [[ocean]] and its calling [[parents]]. Once it reaches the ocean, its parents care for it for several weeks. Other [[species]], such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillemot guillemots] and some [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormorant cormorants], leave the nesting site while they are still unable, or barely able, to fly. The fledging [[behaviour]] of the guillemot is [[spectacular]]; the adult will lead the chick through the colony if possible, for large drops like cliffs, it will fly down and call to its young. The chick will then launch itself off the cliff, attempting to fly as far as possible, crash landing on the ground below before continuing its run towards the [[ocean]].

One notable [[species]], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Murrelet Ancient Murrelet], fledges two days after hatching, running from its burrow to the [[ocean]] and its calling [[parents]]. Once it reaches the ocean, its parents care for it for several weeks. Other [[species]], such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillemot guillemots] and some [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormorant cormorants], leave the nesting site while they are still unable, or barely able, to fly. The fledging [[behaviour]] of the guillemot is [[spectacular]]; the adult will lead the chick through the colony if possible, for large drops like cliffs, it will fly down and call to its young. The chick will then launch itself off the cliff, attempting to fly as far as possible, crash landing on the ground below before continuing its run towards the [[ocean]].

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]