Big Bird is a beloved character on the long-running children's television show, Sesame Street. He is a large, yellow bird who stands at over 8 feet tall, and is known for his kind, curious, and innocent personality.
Big Bird has been a part of Sesame Street since its inception in 1969, and has remained a staple of the show ever since. He often appears in segments that focus on counting, learning the alphabet, and teaching children about social skills like sharing and empathy. He is also known for his musical performances, which often involve singing and dancing with the other characters on Sesame Street.
Big Bird's History
Here are some of the key milestones in the history of this iconic character:
Big Bird was created by puppeteer and Muppet mastermind Jim Henson, who first conceived of the character in the early 1960s. The initial concept was for a large, friendly bird who would interact with children in a playful and educational way.
Big Bird made his first appearance on Sesame Street in the very first episode, which aired on November 10, 1969. At that time, he was one of the only Muppets on the show, and quickly became a fan favorite.
Over the years, Big Bird's character has evolved and expanded, as he has become an integral part of the Sesame Street universe. He has been featured in countless sketches, songs, and segments, and has become one of the most recognizable characters on the show.
Big Bird has also been the subject of several spin-off projects, including books, movies, and even his own television show. In 1985, he starred in "Follow That Bird," a feature film that followed his adventures after he runs away from Sesame Street.
In 1983, Big Bird became embroiled in a political controversy, when the Reagan administration proposed cutting funding for public television. In response, Big Bird became a symbol of the fight to protect public television funding, and became a rallying cry for supporters of the cause.
Today, Big Bird remains an integral part of Sesame Street, and continues to entertain and educate children around the world.
Big Bird's First Appearance
Big Bird made his first appearance on Sesame Street in the very first episode, which aired on November 10, 1969. In that episode, he was introduced to viewers as a friendly and curious bird who lived on Sesame Street.
Big Bird's first scene on the show featured him walking down the street, singing a song called "ABC-DEF-GHI." As he walked, he encountered several of the other characters on the show, including Gordon, who welcomed him to Sesame Street and showed him around.
Throughout the episode, Big Bird was shown exploring his new home, asking questions, and making friends with the other characters. He was immediately popular with viewers, who were drawn to his playful and innocent personality.
Who is Big Bird's Best Friend?
His best friend is widely considered to be Snuffy, or Mr. Snuffleupagus. Snuffy is a large, furry, elephant-like creature who was introduced to the show in 1971, and quickly became one of Big Bird's closest companions.
At first, Snuffy was portrayed as imaginary, and only Big Bird was able to see him. This led to some humorous misunderstandings, as the other characters on Sesame Street didn't believe that Snuffy was real. However, in 1985, the show's writers decided to reveal Snuffy as a real character, which allowed him to interact more freely with the other characters on the show.
Since then, Snuffy has become a beloved member of the Sesame Street cast, and has remained one of Big Bird's closest friends. The two characters share a special bond, and have been featured in many memorable segments together
When Was Big Bird Born and How Old Is he?
Big Bird is about 6 years old. His birthday is on 20th of March.
Big Bird's Personality
Big Bird is a friendly and compassionate character who is beloved by viewers of all ages. His personality is defined by a number of key traits that make him a unique and endearing character.
One of Big Bird's most notable qualities is his childlike innocence and wonder. He sees the world with a sense of awe and curiosity, and is always eager to learn new things and explore his surroundings. This makes him a relatable character for young viewers, who can identify with his sense of wonder and curiosity about the world.
Despite his innocent demeanor, Big Bird is also a very resilient character. He has faced many challenges over the years, including losing his best friend Mr. Snuffleupagus for a time, but has always managed to bounce back and remain optimistic in the face of adversity. This makes him a great role model for children, who can learn from his positive attitude and determination.
Big Bird is also known for his kindness and compassion. He is always eager to make new friends and help others, and is quick to offer a helping hand or a kind word when someone is in need. This makes him a beloved character among viewers of all ages, who appreciate his gentle nature and caring personality.
At the same time, Big Bird is not without his flaws. He can be a bit naive at times, and is sometimes easily swayed by others' opinions or perspectives. However, these flaws only serve to make him a more relatable and human character, and make his triumphs all the more inspiring.
Big Bird, After Mr. Hooper's death...
In the show Sesame Street, Mr. Hooper was the beloved owner of Hooper's Store, and a close friend of many of the characters, including Big Bird. When the actor who played Mr. Hooper, Will Lee, passed away in 1982, the show's writers decided to address the character's death in a special episode.
In the episode, which aired on Thanksgiving Day in 1983, the characters on Sesame Street gather to remember Mr. Hooper and celebrate his life. Big Bird is initially confused and upset by Mr. Hooper's absence, and is unable to understand why he can't just come back. However, the other characters help him to understand that Mr. Hooper has passed away, and that it's okay to feel sad and miss him.
The episode is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and poignant moments in the show's history, and has been praised for its honest and compassionate portrayal of grief and loss. It also demonstrates the importance of community and friendship in helping people to cope with difficult emotions.
Big Bird's Family
Big Bird's "nest" on Sesame Street is his home, and he often refers to the other characters on the show as his "family." However, in a few instances, his biological family members have been referenced or depicted:
Granny Bird: Granny Bird is Big Bird's grandmother, and has been mentioned in several episodes. She is depicted as a kind and nurturing character who is always happy to see her grandson.
Auntie Goose: Auntie Goose is another of Big Bird's relatives who has been mentioned on the show. She is described as being very silly and playful, and is known for her love of games and jokes.
Nani Bird: Nani Bird is Big Bird's cousin, who was introduced in the Sesame Street special "Big Bird in China." She is depicted as being adventurous and curious, much like Big Bird himself.
Big Bird's Performers
Caroll Spinney (1969-2018) - Spinney was the original performer of Big Bird, and also performed the character of Oscar the Grouch. He played Big Bird for over 50 years before his retirement in 2018.
Matt Vogel (2018-present) - Vogel took over the role of Big Bird after Caroll Spinney retired. He had previously performed a number of other characters on Sesame Street, including Count von Count and Kermit the Frog.
Eric Jacobson (2018-present) - Jacobson is a veteran Sesame Street puppeteer who took over the role of Oscar the Grouch after Caroll Spinney's retirement. He has also performed other characters on the show, including Grover and Bert.
Big Bird's Likes and Dislikes
Likes:
- Learning: Big Bird is a natural learner and is always eager to explore new topics and ideas. He enjoys reading books, going to school, and asking questions to better understand the world around him.
- Playing: As a young bird, Big Bird loves to play and have fun. He enjoys playing games with his friends, such as hide-and-seek and tag, and is always looking for new ways to have fun.
- Making friends: Big Bird is a friendly character and loves to make new friends. He is kind and welcoming to everyone he meets, and enjoys spending time with his friends on Sesame Street.
- Music and singing: Big Bird loves music and enjoys singing and dancing whenever he gets the chance. He often leads songs and dances on Sesame Street and is always looking for new ways to express himself through music.
Dislikes:
- Conflict and anger: Big Bird is a gentle character who prefers to avoid conflict and anger whenever possible. He doesn't like it when his friends argue or fight and will do his best to help them resolve their differences peacefully.
- Bullies: Big Bird is a kind and caring character who doesn't like to see anyone being mistreated. He stands up to bullies and defends his friends whenever he can.
- Being alone: Big Bird is a social character and doesn't like to be alone for too long. He loves spending time with his friends on Sesame Street and often seeks out company when he's feeling lonely.
Big Bird Through the Years
1969-1970s: Big Bird was introduced as a six-year-old bird who lived on Sesame Street. He was curious and eager to learn, often asking questions and exploring new topics. His early years on the show were focused on teaching young viewers basic skills like counting, the alphabet, and social skills.
1980s: Big Bird became more of a central character in the 1980s, with storylines that focused on his relationships with other characters on the show. He developed close friendships with characters like Snuffy and Mr. Snuffleupagus, and his playful and curious personality continued to shine.
1990s: Big Bird's role on the show expanded even further in the 1990s. He began to take on more leadership roles, leading sing-alongs and dance parties, and even becoming a "Super Bird" superhero character in some episodes. He also tackled more complex issues, such as homelessness and divorce, in episodes that were designed to help children better understand these difficult topics.
2000s-present: Big Bird has continued to be a beloved character on Sesame Street in the 21st century. He has remained a central character on the show, and has tackled a wide range of topics and issues, from healthy eating to bullying prevention. In recent years, he has also become a voice for important social issues, such as the importance of wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Big Bird's Favorite Songs
Big Bird has a love of music and singing, and he has performed many songs on Sesame Street throughout the years. Some of his favorite songs include:
"ABC-DEF-GHI" - This song, which teaches the alphabet, is one of Big Bird's most iconic performances.
"Sing" - Big Bird leads a group of Sesame Street characters in singing this classic song about the joy of music.
"It's Not Easy Being Green" - Big Bird sings this song as a tribute to his friend Kermit the Frog.
"Somebody Come and Play" - This cheerful song is all about the importance of playtime and having fun.
"Counting is Wonderful" - Big Bird loves to count, and this catchy song is all about the fun of numbers.
"I'm Just Wild About Harry" - Big Bird sings this classic tune as part of a show about famous Harries throughout history.
"The People in Your Neighborhood" - In this song, Big Bird and his Sesame Street friends explore the different jobs and roles that people play in their community.
"Rubber Duckie" - Big Bird's beloved toy Rubber Duckie gets its own catchy song, which has become a classic on Sesame Street.
What does Big Bird Say?
Here are some of his most famous catchphrases:
- "Hello, everybody!" - Big Bird often greets his Sesame Street friends and viewers with this cheerful greeting.
- "That's so interesting!" - Big Bird is curious and loves to learn, and he often expresses his enthusiasm with this phrase.
- "Oh, dear." - When things don't go as planned or something goes wrong, Big Bird often expresses his concern with this phrase.
- "I love you." - Big Bird is known for his kind and loving personality, and he often expresses his affection for his Sesame Street friends with this phrase.
- "Sesame Street is brought to you today by the letter [insert letter] and the number [insert number]." - Big Bird often helps introduce educational segments on the show by announcing the letter and number of the day.
- "I think I need a birdseed milkshake." - When Big Bird is feeling tired or hungry, he often jokes about needing a birdseed milkshake to give him energy.
- "That's what friends are for." - Big Bird values his friendships on Sesame Street, and often expresses his appreciation for his friends with this phrase.
Facts About Big Bird
- Big Bird is 8 feet 2 inches tall, making him one of the tallest characters on Sesame Street.
- His feathers are made of genuine ostrich feathers that have been dyed yellow.Big Bird's suit is made of approximately 4,000 feathers.
- The puppeteer who plays Big Bird must wear a special harness to support the weight of the puppet.
- Caroll Spinney, the original performer who played Big Bird, also played Oscar the Grouch.
- Big Bird's favorite food is birdseed, and he enjoys eating it in a variety of ways, including in milkshakes.
- The character was originally designed to be a goofy, clumsy bird, but was later reimagined as a sweet, childlike character.
- Big Bird's best friend on Sesame Street is Snuffy, who is also his imaginary friend for many years.
- Big Bird has a teddy bear named Radar that he often sleeps with.
- Big Bird's original name was going to be "Big Sidney", but the creators changed it to "Big Bird" to make the character more universal.
- Big Bird has a song called "The Bird on My Head" that he performs with his friend Little Bird.
- Big Bird's favorite number is 17.
- Big Bird has met many famous people on Sesame Street, including Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, and Maya Angelou.
- In 1983, Big Bird appeared in the film "Follow That Bird", in which he goes on a cross-country adventure to find his family.
- Caroll Spinney, who performed as Big Bird for over 50 years, retired from the role in 2018 and passed away in 2019.
- Big Bird is a canary, although he is often mistaken for a giant chicken due to his size and appearance.
- Big Bird's eyes are made of ping pong balls that are painted to look like pupils.
- Big Bird has appeared on numerous talk shows and specials, including The Tonight Show and The Ed Sullivan Show.
- Big Bird is known for his catchy song, "ABC-DEF-GHI", which he sings to help children learn the alphabet.
- Big Bird is also known for his "singing telegram" skits, in which he delivers a message to a friend in song.
- Big Bird's original puppet was destroyed in a fire at the Jim Henson Company in 1978.
- The Big Bird puppet is operated by two puppeteers: one controls the head and mouth, while the other controls the body and arms.
- Big Bird has a sweet tooth and loves eating cookies, especially chocolate chip.
- Big Bird's favorite color is yellow, of course!
- Big Bird has a cousin named Abelardo, who lives on Plaza Sésamo, the Mexican version of Sesame Street.
- Big Bird has been the subject of many books, including "The Sesame Street Dictionary", "Big Bird's Big Book", and "Big Bird at Home".
- Big Bird has his own video game, "Sesame Street: Big Bird's Hide and Speak", which was released in 1990.
- Big Bird has a famous song called "It's Not Easy Being Green", which he sings with Kermit the Frog.
- Big Bird was once the victim of a toy company scam, in which bootlegged Big Bird dolls flooded the market.
- Big Bird has been the subject of numerous parodies and spoofs, including on Saturday Night Live and The Muppet Show.
- Big Bird was once the star of his own segment, "Journey to Ernie", in which he searched for his friend Ernie in various locations.
- Big Bird's physical appearance was inspired by a drawing of a dodo bird that Jim Henson saw in a book.
- Big Bird has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame, in recognition of his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.
- Big Bird was once a guest on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, where he sang a song about the importance of being yourself.
- Big Bird has appeared on numerous postage stamps in various countries, including the United States and Canada.
- Big Bird has a special talent for ice skating and often performs in ice shows.
- Big Bird's voice was originally based on a silly voice that Caroll Spinney would do to make his children laugh.
- Big Bird has been the subject of numerous academic studies on childhood development and learning.
- Big Bird has a catchy song called "One Fine Face" in which he sings about the uniqueness of every individual.
- Big Bird has a famous duet with Snuffy called "Two of a Kind".
- Big Bird once visited China and was a guest of honor at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
- Big Bird's appearance on Sesame Street was almost cut in 1969 due to budget concerns.
Big Bird in Popular Culture
"Sesame Street": Big Bird is a staple character on the long-running children's television show, "Sesame Street." He has appeared on the show since the first episode in 1969.
"Follow That Bird": Big Bird starred in his own feature film in 1985, titled "Follow That Bird." The movie follows Big Bird as he is taken away from Sesame Street and placed with a family of birds in Illinois.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Big Bird has been a popular balloon in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1988.
"The Muppet Show": Big Bird appeared as a guest star on "The Muppet Show" in 1979.
"Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird - The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack": Big Bird was featured on the soundtrack for "Follow That Bird."
"The Simpsons": Big Bird made a cameo appearance in "The Simpsons" episode "A Streetcar Named Marge" in 1992.
"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon": Big Bird appeared on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" in 2012, promoting the 43rd season of "Sesame Street."
"The Colbert Report": Big Bird appeared on "The Colbert Report" in 2012, following the controversy surrounding his mention during the first presidential debate of the 2012 election.
"The West Wing": Big Bird was mentioned in an episode of "The West Wing" titled "Noël" in 2000.
"Family Guy": Big Bird made an appearance in the "Family Guy" episode "Viewer Mail #2" in 2003.
"The Electric Company": Big Bird made a guest appearance on the educational television series "The Electric Company" in the 1970s.
"Robot Chicken": Big Bird has been parodied on the Adult Swim show "Robot Chicken."
"Saturday Night Live": Big Bird was featured on "Saturday Night Live" in a skit titled "Big Bird on Weekend Update" in 1976.
"Celebrity Jeopardy!": Big Bird has been featured as a category on "Celebrity Jeopardy!"
"The Price Is Right": Big Bird appeared as a contestant on a special episode of "The Price Is Right" in 1990.
"Jeopardy!": Big Bird was mentioned as a clue in a category on "Jeopardy!" in 2019.
"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon": Big Bird appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in 2019 to promote the 50th anniversary of "Sesame Street."
"The Masked Singer": In 2019, Big Bird appeared as a contestant on "The Masked Singer" in Australia.
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show": Big Bird has appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" several times, including a 2015 appearance to promote "Sesame Street's" 46th season.
"The View": Big Bird has appeared as a guest on "The View" several times, including a 2019 appearance to promote the 50th anniversary of "Sesame Street."
Big Bird's Contribution to Preschool Children's Education
Some of the ways that Big Bird has contributed to children's education include:
Teaching children about different cultures and countries through his interactions with Sesame Street's diverse cast of characters.
Helping children learn basic concepts such as counting, the alphabet, and shapes through his various skits and songs.
Teaching children about important life skills such as problem-solving, empathy, and cooperation through his interactions with other characters on the show.
Providing positive role modeling by teaching children about the importance of being kind, respectful, and responsible.
Addressing important social issues such as bullying, racism, and diversity through the show's various storylines and characters.