What term describes the developmental state of Whimbrel chicks shortly after they hatch on the tundra?
Answer
Precocial, meaning they are able to walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching
Survival in the brief Arctic summer demands immediate self-sufficiency from the young. Whimbrel chicks exhibit the developmental characteristic known as precociality. This means that almost immediately after breaking free of the egg, the young birds are capable of ambulating on their own legs and beginning to forage for food. This ability to walk and feed themselves quickly is crucial, as it minimizes the duration during which both parents must dedicate resources solely to provisioning the young, allowing the family unit to consolidate energy for the subsequent southward migration before the onset of autumn.
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