Do young birds recognize their parents after they’ve grown up?

Most birds do not recognize their family members after their first year. There are exceptions to this, especially among social birds such as cranes, crows, and jays. Canada Geese also remember their parents, and may even rejoin their parents and siblings during winter and on migration.

On the other hand, Black-capped Chickadee fledglings scatter in autumn, and each one joins a different winter flock from its siblings and parents. Mallards and grouse do imprint on their parents, but there is no evidence that they recognize their parents or family members after their first year.