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)