What kind of hawk or falcon might a falconer encounter after the young have just left the nest?

The correct answer indicates that a brancher is the stage of a young bird that has just begun to leave the nest but is still dependent on its parents for food and protection. During this phase, the young bird will often be seen clinging to branches near the nest and practicing its flight skills. This terminology is specific to raptors, including both hawks and falcons, and reflects the development stage that these birds go through as they transition from being nest-bound to flying independently.

Fledglings are typically a bit further along in their development; they have usually left the nest and are starting to fly but may still rely on their parents. Passage birds refer to raptors that are migrating or moving through an area, and eyasses are chicks that are still in the nest and have not yet fledged. Therefore, while all these terms pertain to the life stages of birds, "brancher" is the most precise term for a young hawk or falcon that has just left the nest and marks a transitional period in its growth.