What was the name of McDonald's bird character introduced to promote breakfast foods in 1980?

Birdie the Early Bird was the McDonald’s bird character introduced to promote breakfast foods in 1980.

Birdie joined the McDonaldland cast as McDonald’s expanded its breakfast branding. Her name emphasized the idea of getting up early, and her character was associated with the chain’s morning menu. She was designed as a bright yellow bird wearing pink clothing and an aviator-style cap in her classic appearance.

The character helped McDonald’s communicate that breakfast was an important part of the restaurant’s identity, not merely an occasional offering. She appeared in television advertising and promotional materials alongside the established McDonaldland characters.

Birdie is sometimes confused with later food-specific promotional characters or with the McNugget Buddies. Those were separate creations. Birdie’s defining branding role was her connection with McDonald’s breakfast, and the “Early Bird” name is the key clue distinguishing her from other fictional characters used by the company.