Which McDonald’s advertising character was introduced in 1980 as a bird-themed mascot?

Birdie the Early Bird was introduced by McDonald’s in 1980 as a bird-themed advertising character.

Birdie was created to promote McDonald’s breakfast menu, particularly the idea of getting up early for breakfast. Her design included a yellow bird appearance and clothing associated with breakfast and morning routines.

She joined McDonald’s larger cast of advertising characters, which already included Ronald McDonald and other figures. Birdie’s role was more specialized: unlike characters used to represent the wider restaurant world, she was closely tied to breakfast marketing.

Birdie is sometimes confused with later McDonald’s mascots or with characters from the company’s broader advertising universe. Her defining historical detail is her 1980 introduction and her connection with breakfast promotion.