Definition & Meaning of "whore's-bird"in English

What is the origin of the term "whore's-bird" and how is it used?

"Whore's-bird" is an old English slang term for a person born illegitimate. It appeared in the 16th–17th centuries, combining "whore" to mark moral stigma with "bird," a common metaphor for a person, to create a derogatory label for someone of questionable parentage. The term was used in informal, insulting, or moralistic contexts to shame or demean individuals. It is highly derogatory, context-dependent, and historically offensive, rarely used in modern English.