adjective. Hatched or born with the eyes open, a covering of down or hair, and the ability to search for food. Used of birds and mammals.

Of or pertaining to the Præcoces; having the characters of the Præcoces: opposed to altricial.

adjective. hatched from the egg already covered in down and with eyes open; capable of leaving the nest within a few days

adjective. (of hatchlings) covered with down and having eyes open; capable of leaving the nest within a few days

"A newborn from a so-called precocial species -- one that isn't utterly helpless without its parents -- learns to recognize its parents 'traits in a process known as filial imprinting."