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  What it means

  “Better a woodpecker in hand than an eagle on a branch.” A variant of the ‘bird in hand’ family of proverbs. What you already possess, however modest, is worth more than something grander that remains out of reach.

  English equivalent

  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

  Vocabulary

  • dzięcioł — woodpecker
  • ręka — hand
  • orzeł — eagle
  • sęk — knot in wood, branch stub

  Grammar note

  'W ręku' is the locative of 'ręka'. 'Na sęku' is the locative of 'sęk'.

  Cultural context

  The eagle is Poland's national symbol, making the contrast between the humble woodpecker and the majestic eagle especially pointed.

  Intermediate

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