How long does a chick need to stay with its mother?

The amount of time a chick needs to stay with its mother varies depending on the species. For example, some precocial species, such as chickens and ducks, are able to leave the nest and follow their mother around shortly after hatching. In contrast, altricial species, such as songbirds and parrots, are born in a helpless state and require extensive care from their parents for several weeks or months before they are able to fledge and leave the nest.