In McDonald's branding history, what was the name of the breakfast mascot introduced in 1980?

McDonald's introduced Birdie the Early Bird as its breakfast mascot in 1980.

Birdie was created to promote McDonald's breakfast menu, which had expanded nationally during the 1970s. Her design used bright yellow and orange colors and a bird costume, visually connecting her with eggs, morning meals, and sunrise imagery.

Birdie joined McDonaldland characters such as Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and the Hamburglar. She was not the chain's first mascot: Speedee represented the original speedy-service concept before Ronald McDonald became the central character in the 1960s.

The character is sometimes confused with later breakfast advertising figures, but Birdie the Early Bird is the specific name associated with McDonald's breakfast promotion in the 1980s. Her introduction marked an effort to give a growing menu category its own recognizable brand personality.