nestling

Everyday

1. (noun) A baby bird too young to leave the nest. tree →
2. (verb) Settling snugly and comfortably, as in "nestling under a blanket". tree →
3. (verb) Lying in a sheltered place, as in "a village nestling in the valley". tree →

In the lessons

In science about birds: hatchling → nestling → fledgling, as the chick grows and learns to fly. In stories and descriptions, "nestling" paints a cosy or sheltered picture: a cottage nestling among the hills.

Examples

• The nestlings opened their beaks wide for food. tree →
• A nestling has few feathers and cannot fly. tree →
• The village lay nestling in the green valley. tree →
• The puppy was nestling against its mother. tree →
• We watched the robin feed its nestlings. tree →
• The cottage stood nestling under tall trees. tree →
• If you find a nestling on the ground, ask an adult or a wildlife centre for help. tree →
• When the man awoke in the morning he was much surprised to find the boy nestling up close to him. tree →

Note

Two words with the same spelling: the noun (baby bird) and the -ing form of "nestle" (silent t: "NES-ling"). Bird stages: egg, hatchling, nestling, fledgling. Safety: do not pick up wild baby birds without advice.