Big Bird is one of the most iconic and beloved characters from the popular children’s TV show Sesame Street. With his larger-than-life size, bright yellow feathers, and childlike innocence, Big Bird has taught generations of kids their ABCs and 123s since Sesame Street first aired in 1969.
But while Big Bird is a familiar figure to millions of American viewers, Sesame Street actually airs in over 150 countries worldwide. This means different audiences get to know Big Bird and the other Sesame Street Muppets in their own languages and cultural contexts.
This raises an interesting question – does Big Bird look, act, and sound the same in all these different international versions of Sesame Street? Or do certain aspects of the big yellow bird’s character change when he is adapted for foreign markets?
Big Bird’s Origins on American Sesame Street
In order to understand if and how Big Bird transforms in international Sesame Street co-productions, it helps to first look at his character on the original American show.
Big Bird was one of the first Muppets created specifically for Sesame Street back in 1969. He was designed by legendary puppeteer Jim Henson and originally performed by Caroll Spinney. As his name suggests, he is much larger than most of the adult human characters on the show, standing at over eight feet tall.
From the beginning, Big Bird was conceived as a curious 6-year-old bird. His sweet, innocent personality and friendship with the human cast have always positioned him as a child proxy for the young viewers at home. As Sesame Street’s “everychild,” generations of kids have identified with him and learned core concepts right alongside their television friend.
Big Bird’s appearance has remained essentially consistent over Sesame Street’s 50+ year run. His yellow feathers, oversized eyes, and orange bill are his trademark look. He walks on two legs like a human, dressed only in his own downy coat of feathers.
Adaptations in Foreign Sesame Street Co-Productions
Today, Sesame Street is co-produced in countries all over the world. The show airs in a specific country’s native language and features characters and curriculum tailored for that region’s culture.
When producing a foreign co-production of Sesame Street, producers have to decide how closely the show should adhere to the look, sound, and personality of the original American version. Often a balance is struck between staying true to the essence of classic characters like Big Bird while still making small tweaks to ensure he resonates in that particular market.
In most international co-productions, Big Bird’s character remains fundamentally the same – he is still a curious 6-year-old bird who befriends the human cast. However, small visual or character adjustments help root him within the context of that country and make him feel less like an “outsider.”
Appearance Changes
Some of the more superficial changes to Big Bird in international adaptations relate mostly to his appearance:
- In Germany, Big Bird is called Bibo and has two tufts of feathers on his head.
- In Mexico, Big Bird is named Abelardo and has longer tail feathers.
- In France, Big Bird has white eyes instead of yellow.
- In some Middle Eastern co-productions, Big Bird wears clothes – usually a simple tunic in the region’s traditional style.
These small costume modifications help make Big Bird look less like an imported American character. His physical traits blend into the region and make him feel like he naturally belongs alongside the other Muppets.
Character and Personality Shifts
In some cases, the changes to Big Bird go a little deeper. Local producers alter parts of his backstory or personality to align with important values in that culture:
- In the South African co-production, Big Bird is named Neno. He forms a close bond with an HIV-positive Muppet named Kami to help educate kids about the epidemic.
- In the Norwegian show, Big Bird is called Store Fugl. He has a best friend named Alfa who helps introduce him to local Norwegian foods and traditions as an outsider.
- In the Egyptian Arabic series, Big Bird is known as No’Man. He has two baby chickens named Mofeed and Daoud, emphasizing family values.
These character adjustments help localize Big Bird so he feels like an authentic inhabitant of that culture instead of an American import. The core essence of his wonderful personality remains, but softened with culturally-relevant backstories and relationships with other characters.
Big Bird Actors Around the World
In addition to potential visual and character changes, the actor inside the Big Bird suit also impacts how he comes across in different countries.
On the American show, Big Bird has been played by only two puppeteers in 50+ years – Caroll Spinney (1969-2018) and Matt Vogel (1998-present). Their consistent performances are an important part of Big Bird’s legacy.
But in international co-productions, producers cast local performers to play Big Bird with a voice, posture, and personality that resonates in that culture. For example:
- In Mexico, Big Bird is played by Martin Robinson – an American puppeteer who specializes in bilingual performances.
- In Germany, Big Bird is played by Gernot Kramer using a softer, gentler tone than the original.
- In Japan, Big Bird is performed by Kanji Yakushiji to align with Japanese body language and etiquette norms.
Having a local actor provides many benefits. They understand the subtle social norms, pronunciations, and physicality that allow Big Bird to communicate naturally with other characters and viewers. At the same time, producers work hard to maintain continuity across co-productions and capture the essence of what makes Big Bird so universally beloved.
Why Big Bird’s Core Essence Stays the Same
Despite small visual and character adjustments in foreign adaptations, the core essence of Big Bird’s personality remains largely unchanged internationally.
That’s because certain qualities are so fundamental to the character of Big Bird. Altering them too much would sacrifice what makes him so iconic and beloved by children all over the world.
These unchanging essential traits include:
- His age and innocence as a 6-year-old child.
- His kindness, sweetness, and love for his friends.
- His curiosity and sense of wonder about the world around him.
- His function as an “everychild” proxy for the viewer.
Keeping this core personality consistent is crucial. If Big Bird acts too differently from the American version, he would seem like an entirely different character, not just a localization.
Certain things may be adapted to fit important values or customs in a particular culture. But the character at the heart of all these international Sesame Street adaptations will always be the same Big Bird generations of children know and love.
A Shared Experience Around the World
There is something special about the fact that Big Bird represents a shared childhood experience for millions of kids around the world. Although co-productions make small changes to connect him with local viewers, he brings the same wonder, emotional intelligence, and sweetness to children in every country.
Big Bird acts as a symbol of the universality of childhood. No matter what language children speak or which culture they’re from, they experience the same desire to explore, connect with others, and understand the world around them. Big Bird represents those common threads of innocence and youthful exuberance that transcend borders.
So while Big Bird’s feathers might be a different color in some places and he learns about tamales instead of hot dogs, his essential self remains the same. He is still that same curious, kindhearted bird who has invited generations of children to Sesame Street, wherever Sesame Street may be.
Conclusion
Big Bird looks, sounds, and acts largely the same in the many international co-productions of Sesame Street. Small visual or character changes help adapt him for local audiences. But the show’s producers are careful not to alter the core essence of his personality. Big Bird’s childlike innocence, kindness, curiosity, and “everychild” role remain consistent across cultures. This allows him to be globally recognized as the same beloved character who has taught millions of children around the world.
While cultural adaptations introduce local foods, friends, and traditions to reflect a specific region, Big Bird represents a shared experience. Children worldwide see themselves in him. His lasting popularity across 50 years and over 150 different versions of Sesame Street proves the universality of childhood. Big Bird’s ability to transcend cultural boundaries while still adapting to resonate locally shows why he continues to hold such a special place in the hearts of children everywhere.