The Hebrew noun ephroch (H667) refers to a young bird, chick, or fledgling — particularly the young found in a bird's nest. It appears in the nest law of Deuteronomy 22:6 alongside the mother bird, one of the Torah's more tender and specific statutes.
The nest law of Deuteronomy 22:6-7 commands Israelites not to take both the mother bird and her young — they may take the eggs or chicks, but must release the mother. This law reflects God's care for the natural order and His desire to cultivate compassion even toward animals. Jesus later used the image of a hen gathering her chicks (Matthew 23:37) to express His own longing to protect and gather His people.