Nidifugous and nidicolous organisms

In biology, nidifugous (UK: /naɪˈdɪfjʊɡəs/ ny-DIF-yuu-gəs, US: /-jə-/ -⁠yə-) organisms are those that leave the nest shortly after hatching or birth.[1] The term is derived from Latin nidus for "nest" and fugere, meaning "to flee".[1] The terminology is most often used to describe birds and was introduced by Lorenz Oken in 1816.[2] The chicks of birds in many families, such as the waterfowl, waders, and gamebirds, are usually nidifugous.

The opposite of nidifugous organisms are nidicolous (/naɪˈdɪkələs/ ny-DIK-ə-ləs; from Latin nidus "nest" and -colus "inhabiting") organisms; a nidicolous organism is one which stays at its birthplace for a long time because it depends on its parents for food, protection, and the learning of survival skills. Examples of nidicolous species include mammals and many species of birds. During the life span, the brain of a nidicolous animal expands 8–10 times its initial size; in nidifugous animals, it expands from 1.5 to 2.5 times.[3][4]

  1. ^ a b "nidifugous". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  2. ^ Starck, J. (1998). Avian Growth and Development. Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-510608-3.
  3. ^ Grene, M. (1974). The understanding of nature: Essays in the philosophy of biology. Dordrecht: Reidel Pub.
  4. ^ Sutter, Ernst (1951). "Growth and Differentiation of the Brain in Nidifugous and Nidicolous Birds". Proceedings of the International Ornithological Congress. 10. Uppsala: Almqvist & Wiksell: 636–644 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.