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LITTLE BIG BIRD

What happened to Big Bird on Sesame Street?

Sesame Street fans are used to seeing Big Bird's eight-foot frame, but they saw him in a new light on social media this week

BIG BIRD is one of the most beloved Muppets on Sesame Street.

The typically large canary was small for a week on Sesame Street, which got many viewers talking about his appearance online.

Big Bird, with Sesame Street characters Oscar the Grouch, Murray Monster, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Abby, and Grover  with host Jimmy Fallon, who stands at 6'0, on September 11, 2014
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Big Bird, with Sesame Street characters Oscar the Grouch, Murray Monster, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Abby, and Grover with host Jimmy Fallon, who stands at 6'0, on September 11, 2014Credit: Douglas Gorenstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

What happened to Big Bird on Sesame Street?

The social media squal all started when Big Bird tweeted from his official X account: "Uh oh! Does anyone know how to make me big Big Bird again?"

The January 24, 2024, tweet was paired with a photo of a much smaller Big Bird on the Sesame Street set.

The famous canary, who usually stands at 8'2'', spent the next five days asking his followers for help returning to his original size.

On the seventh day, he achieved his goal and was back to his normal, larger-than-life, self.

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Why was Big Bird made small on Sesame Street?

According to the AV Club, Big Bird-centered saga that unfolded on social media was inspired by a previous episode of Sesame Street.

In a 2005 episode, Big Bird gets shrunk by a spell performed by the Amazing Mumford.

While the original transformation lasted two episodes during a single afternoon, the 2024 reboot of the situation lasted a week.

All the photos shared by Big Bird on social media were screenshots from the 2005 episode.

Big Bird posted this photo of himself on X, asking for help returning to his normal size on January 24, 2024
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Big Bird posted this photo of himself on X, asking for help returning to his normal size on January 24, 2024Credit: Sesame Street

What did fans say about the incident?

While the beloved PBS show has yet to reveal the motive behind shrinking Big Bird for a week, it's certainly gotten people talking.

One fan said, "Civil War? Big Bird is small now and you’re concerned about a Civil War? Get your priorities in order," on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Other famous Muppets tried to help Big Bird, including Cookie Monster.

He replied to Big Bird's day two update on his situation saying, "Me was trying to research how to help, but me got distracted by baking videos. Me sorry. Back to researching! #HelpBigBird."

The character Mr. Snuffleupagus replied to Big Bird on the platform, reassuring him by saying, "I’ll avoid the area! My feet are too big to risk it."

Fans were also quick to rally any Muppets who hadn't mentioned the situation on their feeds.

Many fans slammed Elmo for not taking Big Bird's situation seriously after he tweeted, "Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?"

One fan quoted the tweet and added, "Big Bird is small and this is how you’re tweeting? Read the room."

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