precocial

adjective

Fry or young that are able to find their own food at a very early stage. Opposite of altricial. developing or maturing early; used to describe well-developed young birds that are capable of moving about shortly after birth. When young precocial birds hatch, they are mobile, their eyes are open, and they have down. Usually they follow the parents around, but are able to feed themselves. Cf altricial