Which McDonald's character appeared in the 1980 McDonaldland campaign as its first female character?

Birdie the Early Bird appeared in 1980 as McDonald's first female McDonaldland character.

Her design used bird imagery and connected her personality with breakfast, helping McDonald's promote its morning menu to families. She joined an expanding cast that already included Ronald McDonald, Grimace, the Hamburglar, and other fictional figures.

Birdie's role illustrates how McDonald's characters were built around menu occasions as well as entertainment. Her “early bird” identity made breakfast the central association, rather than burgers or desserts.

Birdie is sometimes confused with later female advertising figures or with generic McDonald's bird imagery. Her defining distinction is that she was introduced as a named McDonaldland character in 1980.