What is the name of McDonald's early female bird mascot introduced in 1980?

Birdie the Early Bird is the female bird mascot McDonald's introduced in 1980.

McDonald's created Birdie to promote breakfast, especially the importance of eating in the morning. Her name directly connected her character to the phrase “the early bird,” making her role understandable even to young audiences. She wore a yellow flight suit, goggles, and a pink cap, giving her a distinctive appearance within the McDonaldland cast.

Birdie joined established characters such as Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and the Hamburglar. Unlike characters tied to a single mischievous action, Birdie was primarily associated with the breakfast menu and morning routines. Her introduction reflected McDonald's growing emphasis on breakfast as an important part of the business.

A frequent mistake is to identify Birdie as a generic McDonald's bird character. Her full branded name is Birdie the Early Bird, and her debut year was 1980. The character later appeared less often as McDonald's advertising moved toward other styles and campaigns.