窮きゅう鳥ちょう

noun

cornered bird

Literary or figurative term for a bird driven into a corner, often used in the proverb 窮鳥懐に入る (a cornered bird will fly into one's bosom), meaning that even a desperate creature will seek refuge with a person.

• 「窮きゅう鳥ちょう懐ふところに入はいる」ということわざを知しっていますか。

  Do you know the proverb 'a cornered bird will fly into one's bosom'?

• 窮きゅう鳥ちょうの心しん境きょうを思おもうと、追おい詰つめられた者ものの気き持もちがわかる。

  Thinking of the feelings of a cornered bird, one can understand the emotions of someone who has been driven into a corner.