yardbird

[ yahrd-burd ]
/ ˈyɑrdˌbɜrd /

noun Slang.

a convict or prisoner.
an army recruit.
a soldier confined to camp and assigned to cleaning the grounds or other menial tasks as punishment for violation of the rules.

Origin of yardbird

1940–45, Americanism; yard2 + bird, by analogy with jailbird

British Dictionary definitions for yardbird

yardbird
/ (ˈjɑːdˌbɜːd) /

noun

US military an inexperienced, untrained, or clumsy soldier, esp one employed on menial duties