What does the bird emblem represent on this uniform?

It's called the "Ruptured Duck". All WWII veterans who were honorably discharged were/are authorized to wear them on both their uniforms and civilian attire. My dad served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy and he always wore his on his VFW cap or on his lapel.

That is the "Ruptured Duck" It was awarded to veterins of the 2nd World War.

It symbolizes that a person fought in WWII.

My dad was a WWII vet, and he had the Ruptured Duck sewn on his uniform. I was wondering though, my mother was also in the Army during WWII as a Army Surgical Nurse (WAC). I don’t recall ever seeing one of these on her uniform. Should she have received one (44-46)?

Just seen one today that someone found in the river, it was a grave marker

Ruptured Duck (WWII Honorable Discharge)

Your friend's grandfather's ribbon is the Presidental Unit Citation with one oak or a silver leaf cluster. If it's silver, his unit has been awarded PUC, five times. If it's an Oak leaf, the award is only for being awarded twice. The Ruptured Duck patch is unoffical and sewn on the inside of the right hand cuff. This was mostly used by NAVY personnel who were slightly injured. Sewn on for just a dollar by someone who worked in the parachute section, on a carrier.

Honorable Service Lapel Button
The Honorable Service Lapel Button, sometimes called the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, was awarded to United States military service members who were discharged under honorable conditions during World War II. The award is sometimes colloquially called the Ruptured Duck.

If you were to do a search on EBay using Ruptured Duck you’ll find all kinds of trinkets that were made. Tie tacks, rings, cuff links, buttonhole pins, some are made of Silver and Gold. Also there are original manuals that were given to service men that explain the wear of their uniforms when they get home. The manual has the Ruptured Duck on the cover.

Ruptured duck