nestling
UK: ˈnɛs.lɪŋ | US: ˈnɛs.lɪŋ
n. a young bird that has not yet left the nest
n. (archaic) a young child or infant
The word "nestling" combines "nest," from Old English "nest" (a structure built by birds for laying eggs), and the suffix "-ling," derived from Old English "-ling," denoting something small or belonging to a specific category. Originally, it referred specifically to a young bird still in the nest, but by extension, it was also used poetically for human infants. The suffix "-ling" appears in other words like "duckling" or "foundling," reinforcing its association with youth or diminutiveness.
The mother bird fed the nestling worms every morning.
We found a fallen nestling and carefully returned it to its nest.
(Archaic) The queen cradled her nestling, the future heir to the throne.
The nestling chirped loudly, demanding food.
Ornithologists study nestlings to understand avian development.