Which McDonaldland character was introduced in 1980 as a female bird mascot?

Birdie the Early Bird was introduced in 1980 as a female bird mascot for McDonald’s.

Birdie joined the McDonaldland cast during a period when McDonald’s was expanding its family-oriented character branding. Her design used a yellow bird with a pink flight suit, goggles, and other aviation-themed details.

Birdie is sometimes confused with the earlier McDonaldland characters Mayor McCheese, Officer Big Mac, and Captain Crook. Those characters were human or food-themed figures introduced during the 1970s, whereas Birdie was the first major female character added to the group.

Her name connected the character with McDonald’s breakfast advertising. She was used to promote the chain’s breakfast menu and to reinforce the idea that breakfast was available early in the day.