three birds (chicken, goose, pheasant)
In food contexts, refers to the trio of chicken, goose, and pheasant, often as prized game or poultry.
三鳥 refers to the three kinds of birds: chicken, goose, and pheasant.
three birds (cuckoo, bush warbler, wagtail)
Archaic original meaning; refers to the cuckoo, Japanese bush warbler, and wagtail. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical or literary contexts.
In ancient times, 三鳥 meant the cuckoo, Japanese bush warbler, and wagtail.