female bird
Only when written 雌鳥
General term for any female bird. Often contrasted with 雄鳥 (おんどり, male bird).
See also: 雄鶏
The female bird was warming its eggs in the nest.
hen; female chicken
Specifically a female chicken. The kanji 雌鶏 is especially associated with this meaning.
See also: 雄鶏
The hen lays an egg every morning.
The word is usually written in kana. This hiragana spelling is the most common written form.
Kanji spelling for the general 'female bird' sense. Less common than kana.
Katakana form listed as search-only; not a common practical spelling.
Kanji spelling specifically for 'hen'. This is especially used for the chicken sense.
Compound of 雌 (めん, female) + 鳥 (とり, bird). The reading めん is an older form of めす (female).