Which description best matches a precocial bird?

• A. Hatches naked and blind
• B. Hatches feathered and follows its parents shortly after hatching
• C. Hatches with down and is mobile soon after hatching
• D. Hatches in a brood without parental care

Answer: (C)

This question tests understanding of precocial versus altricial bird development. Precocial hatchlings are relatively mature at birth: they come out with down and can move around soon after hatching, often able to feed themselves and stay with or follow parents quickly. Altricial hatchlings, in contrast, are born naked and blind and depend on parental care for a longer period.

The description that best matches precocial birds is the one stating they hatch with down and are mobile soon after hatching. That combination—down present at hatching and immediate mobility—is the classic hallmark of precocial development.

The other options describe scenarios that don’t fit precocial development as well: hatching naked and blind reflects altricial young; hatching with complete feathers is not typical at the moment of hatching for most precocial species, and hatching into a brood without parental care isn’t a defining trait of precociality, since many precocial species still rely on or follow parental guidance.