Region: General | Usage example: He sold the shares because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

A bird in the hand

Meaning

A sure thing is better than a speculative opportunity.

Used when preferring guaranteed gains over risky possibilities.

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Old proverb about the value of captured birds versus those still flying.

Eyewitnessed in English collections of proverbs dating back to medieval times.