1. (of a bird or other animal) leaving the nest shortly after birth or hatching and being able to feed itself independently.
Usage: ornithology; formal

Examples

• Chickens are nidifugous birds that can walk and peck for food within hours of hatching.
• Ducklings are nidifugous and follow their mother to water immediately after leaving the nest.
• Unlike nidicolous songbirds, nidifugous species develop rapidly and become mobile very quickly.
• The nidifugous young of deer can stand and nurse within minutes of birth.
• Ornithologists classify plovers as nidifugous because their chicks are active foragers from day one.