What was the name of the episode in which Opie accidentally kills a bird with his slingshot?

The episode in which Opie accidentally kills a bird with his slingshot is “Opie the Birdman.”

It is the first episode of season 4 of The Andy Griffith Show, broadcast in 1963. Barney Fife gives Opie an old-fashioned slingshot, and Opie later fires it at a bird in a tree, accidentally killing a mother songbird. He then discovers that three baby birds have been left behind.

Andy Taylor helps Opie understand responsibility rather than punishing him. Opie cares for the young birds until they are strong enough to fly, then releases them. The episode’s final image—an empty cage but trees full of birds—turns the incident into a gentle lesson about remorse, accountability, and letting go.

A common mix-up is confusing this episode with other Andy Griffith Show stories involving Barney, unusual pets, or family mishaps. “Opie the Birdman” is also notable for its critical reputation: TV Guide ranked it 24th on its 1997 list of the greatest television episodes, later moving it to 18th in 2009.