Bird Brained, Part 13

I work at the zoo. I am carrying a chicken to the exercise yard. A man is eagerly following me, waiting to see what animal I have inside the carrier. The chicken is reluctant to leave her carrier at first, and when she finally exits the carrier, I say:

Me: “Good bird!”

Guest: “Why are you calling it a bird if it’s a chicken?”

I didn’t know how to respond without making him sound like a moron.

Related:
Bird Brained, Part 12
Bird Brained, Part 11
Bird Brained, Part 10
Bird Brained, Part 9
Bird Brained, Part 8