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This is a sub-template of {{tl|language}}: it is not meant to stand alone. It helps {{tl|language}} perform the repeated task of presenting multiple [[ISO 639-3]] codes with links to their documentation pages. --[[User:Garzo|Gareth Hughes]] 19:07, 23 November 2005 (UTC)
[[image:birdocomparison.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Birdo as it appeared in ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' (left) and Birdo in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' (right)]]
'''Birdo''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: キャサリン; '''Catherine''') is a [[fiction]]al, [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] [[dinosaur]] featured in [[Nintendo]]'s [[Mario]] series of [[video game]]s. While Nintendo has never made the exact nature of Birdo clear, it appears to be both a particular character and a species of enemy, just as [[Yoshi]] from ''[[Super Mario World]]'' can refer either to a class of video game dinosaurs or a particular one. Birdo first appeared in the [[Japan]]ese game ''[[Doki Doki Panic]]'' as an end-of-the-level [[Boss (video game)|boss]]. ''Doki Doki Panic'' was later remade into ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' for release in [[United States|America]].
Birdo is most frequently depicted as pink, though red and green Birdos are also seen in Super Mario Bros. 2 and other games. In ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' Birdo was an end-of-level boss who would spit out [[egg]]s and/or [[fireball]]s from its tubular snout. After defeating Birdo by hitting it with the eggs or other nearby objects, a [[crystal ball]] would drop out from Birdo's belly, allowing the player to open up the gate to the next [[Level (computer and video games)|level]]. However, Birdo can also be helpful: In World 4-3 of ''SMB2'', if Mario jumps onto an egg, he can ride it over the extra-wide pit, much like an [[Albatoss]].
Although later [[Nintendo]] [[mythology]] classifies Birdo as [[female]], the first edition game manual described Birdo as follows: "He thinks he is a girl and he spits eggs from his mouth. He'd rather be called 'Birdetta." Birdo certainly acts effeminately in any given Mario game appearance, always being flirtatious and blowing kisses. Based on this description, it is arguable that Birdo is the first [[transgendered]] video game character, but since Nintendo no longer refers to Birdo as a [[male]], this is questionable. Furthermore, Birdo is known in Japan as "Catherine". It may be that Birdo is [[asexual]] but identifies with the female [[gender]] of a [[culture]]; whether or not this counts as "transgender" would depend on one's views on Birdo [[reproduction]] and whether asexual would count as male, female, or a "third gender" when considering transgender issues. Similar issues exist with Yoshi. The gender-confusion that Yoshi and Birdo share seems especially strange when considering that Nintendo seems keen on pairing the two — as tennis partners or Mario Kart racing buddies, for example.
Some confusion has arisen over Birdo because in the ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' manual, Nintendo erroneously switched the images for Birdo and [[Ostro]], an ostrich that playable characters can ride. Since then, many have confused the two.
==List of other video game appearances==
*In [[1994]], Birdo appeared in ''[[Wario's Woods]]'' on the NES in the Tutorial.
*In [[1995]], Birdo appeared in ''[[Super Mario RPG]]'' on the [[SNES]] as a huge boss encased in an egg.
*In [[2000]], Birdo was a playable character for the first time in ''[[Mario Tennis]]'' for the [[Nintendo 64]].
*In [[2001]], Birdo appeared in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' as a non-playable character in the "Mushroom Kingdom II" level. The image used in this game was the original image of Birdo from ''SMB2'' to match the "retro" look of the level. You can K.O. her just like you can with [[Shy Guys]] in the "Yoshi's Story" stage.
*In [[2003]], Birdo appeared in ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]'' as a playable character, ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' on the GameCube as a driver with Yoshi, and in ''[[Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga|Mario & Luigi]]'' on the [[GBA]] as a character in love with Popple, a thief (an inter-species love interest).
*In [[2004]], multiple Birdos make cameo appearances in ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'' in the audience. Multiple Birdos are seen in the audience, ranging from green to tan.
*In [[2005]], Birdo (with [[Dry Bones]]) appears in Mario Party 7, marking her as a first time playable character in a Mario Party game. Birdo also appeared in [[Mario Baseball]], as a team captain, along with many other characters ([[Mario]], [[Yoshi]], [[Donkey Kong]], [[Princess Peach]], [[Bowser]], [[Toad (Nintendo Character) | Toad]] & [[Petey Piranha]].
==External links==
*[http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/game/525243.html The Mario series character guide]
[[Category:Fictional dinosaurs]]
[[Category:Mario characters]]
[[ja:キャサリン (ゲームキャラクター)]]
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