young bird

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "young bird" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a bird that is not yet fully grown or mature, often in contexts related to nature, wildlife, or metaphorical uses. Example: "The young bird struggled to take its first flight, flapping its wings nervously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A young bird in Spring time.

The New York Times - Style

Hatched in about six weeks, the young bird fattens on fish, supplied by both parents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During its first year at sea, the young bird may not even approach the land.

Britannica

This style usually presses down both white and dark meat from half of a young bird.

The New York Times

By the time it is ready to leave the nest, the young bird dwarfs its smaller hosts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When Carl kisses her, she notices that one of his eyelids flutters, "Only one, like a frightened young bird.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Our young bird-catcher forfeits his livelihood — those larks intended for someone else's dinner — for a fleeting tributary display.

The New Yorker

A miracle of concision, it manages in four lines to encapsulate much of Graves's imprudent magnificence, his outsize, foolish gallantry: Love without hope, as when the young bird-catcher Swept off his tall hat to the Squire's own daughter, So let the imprisoned larks escape and fly Singing about her head, as she rode by.

The New Yorker

Females and young birds are duller dusky red-brown.

Cornell University

The common adder eats frogs, young birds, and small mammals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Young birds are submissive to older flock members.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "young bird", consider the specific stage of development (e.g., nestling, fledgling) to add precision to your writing.

Common error

Don't use "young bird" when a more specific term like "fledgling" or "nestling" is more accurate and informative.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "young bird" is as a noun phrase, typically functioning as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "young bird" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to describe a bird that is not yet fully grown. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider more specific terms like "fledgling" or "nestling" for greater precision. The term appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias", and "Science" contexts, indicating its widespread use across diverse forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baby bird

A simpler and more informal term for a young bird.

fledgling

Refers to a young bird that has recently acquired its flight feathers.

juvenile bird

A more formal and scientific term for a young bird.

nestling

Specifically refers to a young bird still in the nest.

immature bird

Indicates a bird that has not yet reached its adult plumage or breeding status.

chick

Refers to a very young bird, often newly hatched.

recently fledged bird

Highlights the bird's recent departure from the nest.

newly hatched bird

Emphasizes the recent emergence from the egg.

infant bird

Analogous to human infancy, emphasizing early development.

dependent young bird

Emphasizes the bird's reliance on its parents for survival.

FAQs

What's another way to say "young bird"?

You can use alternatives like "fledgling", "nestling", or "juvenile bird" depending on the context.

Is "young bird" grammatically correct?

Yes, "young bird" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to refer to a bird that is not yet fully grown.

When is it appropriate to use the term "young bird"?

The term "young bird" is appropriate when you want to generally refer to a bird that is not yet an adult. For more specific stages, you can use terms like "nestling" or "fledgling".

What is the difference between "young bird" and "chick"?

"Chick" refers specifically to a very young bird, often newly hatched, while "young bird" is a more general term that can encompass chicks, fledglings, and other immature birds.