The nestlings fledge after about 18 to 22 days, with about 80% fledging success. Both parents feed the chicks live prey from hatching to fledging. Young birds before fledging are called goslings. Juveniles moult quickly after fledging and gain their adult plumage between August and November. The incubation period is about two weeks with chicks fledging within a fortnight. Juveniles become capable of sustained flight two weeks after fledging. Incubation times are long compared to other birds, as are fledging periods. Incubation by the female is 14 days with another 17 to fledging. The frequency of feedings decreases as the offspring near fledging. More typical in size are young lark buntings taken at their fledging time. Young birds also disperse widely after fledging. The chicks are able to fly roughly two weeks after fledging. Early in the fledging stage, the young is brooded up to 90% of the time. Chicks have a hook on the upper mandible, which disappears by the time of fledging. Chick mortality is high, with on average one chick surviving to fledging.