a Deep South term from the 1960s and before which means approximately: fool, bastard,
jerk, jackass, silly twit, silly
billy, doofus, goofball, goof-off, layabout, delinquent, lazy
bum, gadabout, joker, popinjay, etc. This word is almost always meant as an affectionate insult among friends, and doesn't carry much wallop. Cf. huckleberry and jackleg.
"You had all
day long to mow the lawn and put on some clean clothes, son, and you
haven't done a thing. You're such a jaybird." (said with a smile)