Which McDonald's character was designed as a female aviator and introduced in 1980?

Birdie the Early Bird was McDonald's female aviator character introduced in 1980.

Birdie was created to promote McDonald's breakfast menu and encourage customers to visit during the morning. Her aviator theme connected with the idea of arriving early, while her bright yellow appearance and flight gear made her easy to identify in commercials, restaurant decorations, and promotional products.

She joined the established McDonaldland cast, which already included Ronald McDonald, Grimace, the Hamburglar, and several other characters. Unlike characters built around hamburgers or milkshakes, Birdie's role was tied specifically to breakfast branding and the growing importance of morning sales.

Birdie is sometimes confused with other McDonaldland figures because the characters shared a colorful cartoon style and appeared together in advertising. Her defining traits are her female identity, bird design, aviator costume, and association with early-morning food. The 1980 debut came after McDonald's had already established the Egg McMuffin as a signature breakfast product.