Definitions:

1. A slang for chicken, especially one that's free-range or kept in a yard. NOUN
   • Grandma's cooking yard bird tonight with her famous seasoning.
2. In jazz and blues culture, refers to a musician. NOUN
   • He's a true yard bird, playing jazz like he's been doing it his whole life.
3. In U.S. military slang, refers to a prisoner or someone doing menial labor on a military base. NOUN
   • The had the yard birds cleaning up around the barracks all morning.

Synonyms:

• con
• convict
• inmate
• yardbird