ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : a soldier assigned to a menial task (as policing an area) or restricted to a limited area as a disciplinary measure
2. : an untrained or inept enlisted man
the rank of yardbird — one level below private — has never been officially recognized — New York Times
everyone from the company commander to the sorriest yardbird — Burtt Evans