Which McDonald's mascot, introduced in 1980, was a bird associated with the chain's breakfast branding?

Birdie the Early Bird was the McDonald's mascot introduced in 1980 to promote the chain’s breakfast offerings.

Birdie was designed as a bright yellow bird with features associated with morning, including an aviator-style appearance. Her role connected McDonald's characters with the company’s expanding breakfast business, especially the popularity of the Egg McMuffin and other morning menu items.

The character belonged to the broader McDonaldland advertising world, but she had a more specific job than many of its other figures. The Hamburglar promoted the playful fantasy of stealing hamburgers, while Birdie’s identity pointed customers toward breakfast.

Birdie is sometimes confused with McDonald's other non-human mascots, particularly Grimace. Grimace was a purple character introduced earlier, whereas Birdie was a yellow bird created for breakfast advertising in the 1980s.