3rd & Bird is a British television programme aimed at young children, created by Josh Selig. Selig's company, Little Airplane Productions, produced the series. The show revolves around a community of birds and their adventures. It was commissioned by Michael Carrington and broadcast on the BBC's CBeebies channel from 4 June 2008 to 31 July 2010. Described in its initial press release as "a charming new animated series all about community", the programme format generally involves one or more of the characters encountering a problem which must be solved using the social skills which pre-school children must develop in order to make their way in the world. The show uses an animation style known as "photo-puppetry", in which the animation is created by the use of manipulation of photographs.
Characters
Main characters
Samuel - The eldest of the Lovebird children, Samuel is a green lovebird. He acts as a role model to his younger sister, Muffin, and often tries to teach her how to be responsible.
Muffin - A pink lovebird and Samuel's younger sister. Not yet old enough to fly, she usually rides on Samuel's back. Muffin calls Samuel "Sam'el," Rudy "Udy," and Mr. Beakman "Beaky."
Rudy - Rudy is a cockatoo and Samuel's best friend. She wears a bracelet of colored stones on her ankle.
Mr. Beakman - The children's teacher, a wise but somewhat pompous toucan who frequently acts as the voice of parental authority. He shows an interest in mariachi bands.
Supporting characters
Mrs. Billingsley - A New Zealand gardening kiwi and the oldest bird in the treetop community. She wears a sunhat and is incapable of flying, which occasionally causes problems.
Missy - A fashionable great blue turaco who speaks with a thick French accent. She refers to Samuel and his friends as "little birds."
Quinn - - A teenage puffin inventor and technical whizz whose creations often feature in the younger birds' activities. The younger birds look up to him.
Mr. and Mrs. Lovebird - Samuel and Muffin's parents, with Northern English accents. Despite being rarely seen, they care deeply for their children. Mr Lovebird is the tree's caretaker.
Baby Jordan - Mr. Beakman's nephew, who often uses big words like his uncle. He calls Muffin "Uffin."
Elliot - A worm who is friends with Samuel, Muffin, and Rudy.
The cast also includes world champion musical whistler, Michael Barimo, whose whistling accompanies the music of the show.
In January 2009, BBC Worldwide announced plans to release 3rd & Bird merchandise, including wooden stacking toys, pull along vehicles, play sets and musical instruments, as well as wheeled toys, including trikes, scooters, and ride-ons. The product line was released in spring 2010. Two compact discs featuring the 3rd & Birdtheme song were released by CBeebies titled CBeebies: Song Time and CBeebies: The Album.
DVDs/Books
A DVD containing 8 episodes of the series was released in March 2009, and will be accompanied by a series of books tying into the show. The DVD release, entitled Bird's The Word!, contains the following episodes: Fly Muffin!; Bird Theatre!; Muffin Express!; A Chorus for Us!; To Play or Not to Play!; The Rudy Show!; Meet Elliott!; Costume Party! A second DVD, Muffin Land!, was released in June 2009, and contained the following episodes: Muffinland!; Muffin's Shop! Dinosaur!; Go Camping!; Playhouse!; Cowgirl!; Muffin's Plant!; Baby Jordan!
