Big Bird Through the Years

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The Evolution of Big Bird (1969-present)

Image	As seen in	Year	Notes
	Sesame Street Season 1	1969-1970	The original Big Bird is ungainly in design and characterization, with clumsy body movements and a hick-like voice. The arrangement of the feathers appears more haphazard. At times, he sports googly pupils, similar to the ones of Cookie Monster. Caroll Spinney has been quoted saying, "He didn't look too keen. I thought he was one of the ugliest things I'd ever seen!"
	Sesame Street Season 1	1970	Over the course of the first season, Big Bird’s design is continuously modified. Among the puppet’s first changes are brighter orange legs, after his original set of legs caught fire in an incident when a klieg light fell only a couple feet away. Later, the Bird's right arm, at first pinned to his side, is given life through a fishing line attached from under the neck to the wrist of the left hand. Near the end of that first year, his head is given a makeover, with a fuller crown of feathers and mobile eyelids.
	Sesame Street Season 2	1970-1971	Big Bird's feathers are more groomed, as well as a more consistent shade of golden yellow. The Bird's voice and personality changes as well, gradually becoming more childlike.
	Sesame Street Season 3	1971-1972	Even more feathers are added to Big Bird's head, making him his current 8'2" size.
	Sesame Street Season 4	1972-1976	During this period, Big Bird's head becomes considerably more almond-shaped. Also, his eye focus is improved.
	Sesame Street Season 8	1976-1978	Three bright yellow highlights on Big Bird's forehead are now evident. Though, they have varied in size over the years.
	Sesame Street Season 10	1978-1982	This more properly built version of Big Bird, with an even rounder head and a more shapely neck, closely resembles the current puppet. However, unlike future Big Bird puppets, this version has the ability to completely shut his eyelids.
	Follow That Bird	1982-1988	The three light yellow highlights atop Big Bird's eyes begin to form a full ring, as well as becoming even lighter in color.
	Sesame Street Season 20	1988-1993	Big Bird has a slightly taller forehead and a more slender neck.
File:Bigbird90's.jpg	Sesame Street Season 25	1993-2003	Big Bird is now somewhat more vibrant in color, compared to preceding puppets. His head takes a slightly different shape and his forehead highlights are somewhat darker.
	Sesame Street Season 35	2004-present	Big Bird's feathers are fluffier now. His forehead is even taller, and his upper neck tends to jut out more.
Alternate Big Bird Puppets and Characters
	The Blue Bird of Happiness	1985	A blue version of Big Bird from Follow That Bird. The feathers and beak are light blue, but the tail is still yellow with a mix of blue, white and pink feathers.The head of this version is still used as practice for new puppeteers and was used during the screening for Garibaldo. Big Bird's counterpart in Vila Sésamo.
	Big Bird	2002-present	This is Matt Vogel's Big Bird puppet. The feathers on his head are fluffier, and the blue lines of his eyelids are a slightly different color to not interfere with the blue-screen background used during the Journey to Ernie segments. When Matt performs Big Bird in street scenes, he has normal eyelid colors.
File:BabyBigBird.JPG	Baby Big Bird	2006	Baby Big Bird as seen in Sesame Beginnings.