Watching a nest, waiting for the first flight, wondering whether everything is going well: this scene fascinates and sometimes worries us. Flight does not happen by magic. It follows a precise biological timeline, influenced by dozens of factors. If you are wondering about the exact time it takes before a chick can fly, you are in the right place. This page breaks down every phase, every nuance. Not a single wingbeat will be overlooked.
| Species | Average age of first flight | Type of chick |
|---|---|---|
| Blue tit | 18 days | Altricial |
| House sparrow | 14 to 17 days | Altricial |
| Common blackbird | 15 to 20 days | Altricial |
| European robin | 14 days | Altricial |
| Pigeon | 28 to 35 days | Altricial |
| Common swift | 40 days | Altricial |
| Mallard duck | 1 day | Precocial |
| Domestic chicken | 1 day | Precocial |
Why some chicks can move right after birth while others cannot
Not all chicks leave the nest at the same pace. Two major categories shape their development: precocial and altricial.
Precocial chicks (chickens, ducks, geese, gulls) leave the nest within the first hours. They walk, sometimes swim, and follow their parents from day one. Their plumage is already well developed at hatching. Flight comes later, but locomotion autonomy is immediate. Leaving the nest does not therefore correspond to learning how to fly.
Altricial chicks (tits, sparrows, blackbirds, robins), on the other hand, are born blind, naked, and immobile. They depend entirely on adults for food, warmth, and survival. They remain in the nest for several days or even weeks before fledging. For them, the question of time before flight truly matters.
How many days an altricial chick takes before it can fly
In altricial birds, learning to fly follows a biological timeline specific to each species, but several stages are systematic:
- Hatching: the chick weighs only a few grams. It has no feathers, its eyes are closed, and it barely moves.
- Down development: within the first days, a light down appears. It plays no role in flight but helps with thermoregulation.
- Eye opening: around 5 to 7 days depending on the species. The chick begins to interact with its environment.
- Emergence of flight feathers: around 10 days, the primary wing feathers and tail feathers begin to grow.
- Muscle strengthening: between 10 and 14 days, the chick becomes more active and flaps its wings in the nest, learning balance.
- First flights: between 12 and 25 days depending on the species, sometimes later. The first flight is short, uncertain, and clumsy.
Concrete example: a house sparrow begins flying around 14 to 17 days. A blue tit fledges around day 18. A common blackbird may remain in the nest for up to 20 days.
What can speed up or delay the moment a chick flies
The number of days before a chick flies is not set in stone. Several factors play a direct role:
- Species: a pigeon (columbid) flies around 28 to 35 days. A robin around 14 days. A swift around 40 days.
- Nutrition: a protein-rich diet accelerates muscle growth and feather development. Parents naturally provide this, but in cases of human intervention, nutrient-dense and easily digestible mealworms can help strengthen weak or fallen chicks.
- Climate: stable temperatures favor proper development. Cold slows everything down.
- Brood size: the more chicks there are, the more food is divided, which can extend the time before flight.
- Health: a sick, injured, or parasitized chick will take longer to fledge.
- Human disturbance: excessive handling, stress, or noise around the nest can delay or prematurely trigger departure, sometimes putting the chick at risk.
Each nest tells a different story. Two sparrows born on the same day, in two different locations, may not take flight at the same time.
Mealworms in a Bucket
Provide protein and energy to weakened chicks with these easily digestible, nutrient-rich mealworms.
What a baby bird’s first flight looks like in practice
It is not a triumphant takeoff. It is an awkward attempt. Sometimes just a cushioned fall. Sometimes a short glide from one branch to another.
The chick does not “know” how to fly. It learns step by step:
- Rapid but disorganized wingbeats.
- More gliding than true flapping flight.
- Imprecise landings, sometimes missed.
- Difficulty returning to the nest (sometimes impossible).
Flight becomes effective only after several days of practice, sometimes up to two weeks. The exact moment of leaving the nest does not mean mastery. It marks the beginning of learning, not its completion.
Flying too early: what are the risks for a chick?
Yes, the risks are real if a chick leaves the nest too early:
- Fatal falls (especially in urban areas).
- Hypothermia.
- Higher risk of predation.
- Inability to return to the nest.
Paradoxically, leaving too late is not better either:
- The nest becomes more visible due to constant movement (attracting predators).
- Parents reduce food delivery to encourage departure.
- Plumage can become too dense, hindering movement if flight training starts too late.
The right moment lies within a critical window. Neither too early nor too late. Birds seem to detect this timing with remarkable precision.
What to do if a chick has fallen from the nest and cannot fly
This is a common situation. A chick is found on the ground. It cannot fly. It does not appear injured. What should you do?
First and foremost, observe:
- Does it have feathers?
- Does it flap its wings?
- Is it calling?
- Are the parents nearby?
In 90% of cases, this is a chick that has recently left the nest and has not yet learned to fly but is still being cared for by its parents. You should not touch it. The parents continue to feed it on the ground.
If the chick is naked or very young, gently placing it back in the nest is the best option. If the nest is inaccessible, you can create a nearby “artificial nest” (basket, ventilated box) and observe. For this purpose, mesh nesting cotton for birds provides a soft, natural material well suited to young birds awaiting reintegration.
Never take the chick home unless it is clearly injured. And always contact a specialized wildlife rescue center before any handling.
Mesh Nesting Cotton for Birds
Help a chick that has fallen from the nest with this natural cotton, ideal for creating a soft and secure shelter.
How many days does it take for a chick to fly properly after fledging?
Once a chick has left the nest, its flying ability remains limited for a few days:
- Short, straight-line flights.
- Unstable balance.
- Poor coordination between wings and tail.
- Clumsy landings.
Progress is fast, however. Within 5 to 10 days, the chick becomes able to follow its parents in flight. After 10 to 15 days, it may begin hunting on its own (insectivores). In seed-eating or fruit-eating species, independence comes more slowly.
Example: in the common blackbird, 10 days after fledging, the young bird is still fed by its parents but already begins exploring and feeding independently.
Why some chicks take longer to fly
Flight requires:
- Strong muscles.
- Long, well-aligned feathers.
- Perfect coordination.
- An instinct triggered at the right moment.
In some species, such as the swift, there is no room for error at takeoff. It lives almost entirely in flight. It eats, sleeps, drinks, and mates in the air. It must therefore be fully ready on its very first attempt, which explains a very late fledging age (around 40 days).
By contrast, passerines are allowed to make mistakes. They live close to the ground, in hedges and bushes. A failed flight attempt is rarely fatal. They can move on foot, hide, and continue receiving help from their parents.
Each strategy reflects a balance between safety, growth, mobility, and survival.
Signs that show a chick is about to fly
Here are clear indicators:
- Fully developed plumage (no visible bare patches).
- Eyes wide open, alert behavior.
- Wing flapping even on the ground.
- Restless behavior in the nest.
- Reduced parental visits (encouraging fledging).
A young bird perched on a ledge, looking around with wings half open, is likely only a few hours away from its first flight.
