fine feathered friend

1. Any kind of bird. The local zoo is welcoming a fine feathered friend today, as it adds the Rainbow Lorikeet to its aviary. Ah, a peacock! Well, hello, my fine feathered friend! Mark breeds and raises hawks for racing, and his fine feathered friends are among the most valuable in the world.

2. Used as a term of endearment, often sarcastically or facetiously. A: "Thank you so much, good sir!" B: "The pleasure was all mine, my fine feathered friend!" To be honest, I think you're living in a delusion, my fine feathered friend. I think what my fine feathered friend here is trying to say is that we're glad you decided to join our department.