What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nestling
Example
The mother bird was feeding her nestlings with worms. [nestlings: noun]
Example
The nestling was too young to leave the nest. [nestling: adjective]
fledgling
Example
The fledgling bird was practicing its flying skills. [fledgling: adjective]
Example
The birdwatcher spotted a group of fledglings in the nearby trees. [fledglings: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fledgling is more commonly used than nestling in everyday language. Fledgling is versatile and can be used to describe both birds and people or organizations that are new and inexperienced.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between nestling and fledgling?
Both nestling and fledgling are relatively formal words that are more likely to be used in scientific or academic contexts than in everyday conversation.