[ prɪ'kəʊʃ(ə)l ]
■ adjective Zoology relating to or denoting a bird or other animal species whose young are hatched or born in an advanced state and are able to feed themselves almost immediately. Often contrasted with altricial .
Origin
C19: from mod. L. Praecoces (the name of a former division of birds, plural of L. praecox 'mature before its time') + -ial .