What do bird young need after hatching?

What do bird young need after hatching?

• A. Bird young do not need their parents for food or protection once hatched.
• B. They do not need any parental care at all
• C. They always need parental feeding for survival
• D. They can feed themselves immediately after hatching

Answer: (A)

Think about how bird offspring vary in their early independence. Some hatchlings are precocial: they hatch relatively mature, with the ability to move and often to forage for themselves soon after birth. In those cases, the need for constant feeding from parents is reduced, and they can start getting their own food rather quickly. The statement here captures that idea of early independence in certain species, even though many birds still benefit from parental warmth, protection, and feeding in the days and weeks after hatching. The point is to recognize that not all hatchlings require ongoing parental feeding right away, which is why this option is considered the best answer among the choices.