What is a brancher?

• A. Adult bird nesting away from nest
• B. Young bird out of nest but nearby
• C. Bird trained on branches
• D. Baby hawk still in nest

Answer: (B)

A brancher is a juvenile raptor that has left the nest but stays nearby, typically perched on a branch while it’s learning to fly and fend for itself. This stage means the bird is out of the nest but not far from it, often still dependent on its parents for food and guidance. That’s why the description of a young bird out of the nest but nearby best fits.

The other options describe different situations: an adult bird nesting away from the nest isn’t a juvenile stage, a bird trained on branches refers to training status rather than natural development, and a baby hawk still in the nest is still nest-bound (a nestling).