Top 39 Cartoon Bird Movies

Animated bird movies make up a larger cartoon category than most animation fans realize. One of the first bird cartoons goes back as far as 1930. These are not To Kill A Mocking Bird movies.

A 14-minute short called “It’s a Bird” was made in America and featured a rare metal-eating poultry specimen. Though the story might have been a little scraggly, the quality of the animation was excellent.

Fortunately, the quality of animated bird movies has improved a lot over the years, and there is a decent selection. Here is a list of the top animated bird movies in order from newest to oldest.

39. Migration (2023)

A family of ducks tries to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime.

38. Robin Robin (2021)

When her egg by chance, rolls into a rubbish dump, Robin is raised by a loving family of mice. As she grows up, her differences become more apparent.

Robin sets off on the heist to end all heists to prove to her family that she can be a really good mouse but ends up discovering who she is.

37. The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)

Birds and Pigs put their differences aside to battle a new threat craving world domination in this unlikely twist. 

The new frenemies make a difficult but necessary choice to temporarily truce to face a more significant threat, Zeta and his ice missiles.

They will only survive if they work together and Red can surpass their previous differences. 

36. Manou the Swift (2019)

A little swift bird, Manou grows up convinced he is a seagull. But, as he learns to fly, Manou discovers he can never be a seagull, and out of frustration and anger, he runs away from home.

Luckily, he meets more birds just like him and learns about who he is meant to be.

Then, just as the little swift regains his confidence, the swifts and seagulls are attacked, and the little swift Manou jumps in to help save the birds.

35. Duck Duck Goose (2018)

A wild and free bachelor goose, Peng, would rather do anything than prepare for the upcoming migration. The overconfident Peng would instead like to attempt risky stunts.

One of Peng’s risky stunts backfires when he gets too close to the grounds and crashes into a group of ducklings. As a result, two ducklings, Chao and Chi, are separated from their group.

The duck, duck, and goose’s (Chao, Chi, and Peng) journeys are now intertwined. Together the three learn many new life lessons about love, trust, and friendship. 

34. Ploey: You Never Fly Alone (2018)

A baby plover chick is too afraid to fly, and migration season is fast approaching.

Unable to make the journey on foot, the young clover chick is left behind as the family migrates to warmer weather. 

Unable to fly, the plover chick will face more severe challenges on his own, like the brutally cold winter and hungry enemies looking for an easy snack.

These challenges will test his bravery and endurance as he is determined to see his family again in the spring. 

33. A Storks Journey – Little Bird’s Big Adventure (2017)

A teenage sparrow orphan who was raised by storks believes he is one of them.

When migration season comes around, his family tells him the truth and leaves him behind in the forest since he is not a migratory bird.

The young sparrow is determined to prove he is a stork and attempts to migrate south with the help of Olga, Kiki, and an imaginary friend.

32. Birds Like Us (2017)

This unique feature from Bosnia Herzegovina is an adventure fantasy that draws together lighthearted comedy with some drastic situations.

In the land of Birdabad, birds live in fear of The Horror and are only protected by the carrion crew of Kondor. 

The trade-off is that they must give up their eggs to them in exchange for fruit, overseen by the owl, Hasan.

A young mother, Huppu, will do anything to save her egg and create chaos when she disrupts the system. 

Everyone involved is thrown out of Birdabad, friend and foe alike. But, if they survive and try to return, they must put aside their dislike for each other and band together in friendship.

31. Piper (Short – 2016)

This Disney Pixar short is a quick, fun story about a Sandpiper venturing from the nest for a bite to eat. 

The young sandpiper is encouraged by his mother to scavenge for food along the shoreline as the waves roll away to reveal tasty surprises. 

Gathering a meal is harder than it seems.

The tiny piper struggles to fight the waves and competition for breakfast. But, with some persistence, the piper learns some valuable lessons.

30. The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

The iconic Angry Birds cartoon game is now a fun animated bird movie that shows us why the birds are so angry. All seems well on an island paradise of flightless birds. 

Red, known to have a temper, Chuck, and Bomb are all outsiders who discover an invasion of green pigs.

The unlikely heroes are suspicious of the pig’s intentions and determined to fight for their island paradise. 

29. Storks (2016)

It’s not surprising that we would get a bird movie about these baby-delivering birds.

In Storks, we find that Storks have upscaled their careers and are no longer delivering “bundles of joy” but delivering packages for a global internet giant. 

Junior is soon to be promoted because he is the company’s top delivery stork. But disaster strikes as he accidentally creates a baby from their baby-making machine. 

He will need to deliver this young one before his bosses find out. Junior and his friend Tulip fly out into the world to find a loving family home for the baby.

28. Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania (2016)

In this sequel, a thrill-seeking penguin challenges the macho Hang 5, an extreme surfing team. 

They journey to The Trenches to challenge themselves to ride the largest waves in the world, some as tall as 50ft.

The giant waves will test the penguin’s bravery and skill.

27. El Americano: The Movie (2016)

A Mexican boy parrot named Cuco idolizes his TV superhero, El Americano, and loves copying his crazy stunts rather than doing his daily chores a the family circus. 

When a gang of bad birds threatens Cuco’s father and takes over the family circus, he travels to seek out his superhero for help.

During his journey, Cuco discovers he can be the hero in his own family’s story. 

26. Quackerz (2016)

The peaceful life of mandarin ducks is flipped upside down when a flock of military mallards accidentally makes landfall on their island paradise, mistaking it for Hawaii. 

Although the two sides’ leaders fight and argue, their kids build a friendship that will become an essential alliance to fight a new enemy, Ms. Knout wants to destroy the sun. 

25. Huevos: Little Rooster’s Egg-cellent Adventure (2015)

A young chick, Toto, is born the runt of the litter. Though he is small and underestimated, he soon has a chance to prove himself. 

An evil rancher threatens to destroy his home and family. Toto and his friends join together on an exciting adventure that proves big things can come in small packages as Toto grows into a scrappy and brave rooster. 

24. Rio 2 (2014)

In this sequel, Blu and Jewel’s family grows by three little ones as they take on the jungle life, escaping the city of Rio de Janeiro. 

As Blu learns to fit in and tap into his wild side, old rivalries are made new again with Nigel and his father-in-law.

The land Blu and Jewel want to settle on is threatened by humans who wish to bulldoze the land for their benefit. 

23. Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

This super-spy team of penguins hatched out of nowhere to stop bad guys in their tracks and protect the world from evil plots. 

The penguins are a comical elite spy team who join forces with The North Wind, a secret organization.

Together they must stop Dr. Octavius Brine from tearing the world apart. 

22. The Penguins of Madagascar (TV-Series 2008-2014)

The famous Penguins of Madagascar kick butt and bring the house down with laughs on their television series The Penguins of Madagascar. 

The series ran from 2008 to 2011 with an enormous number of episodes, 149 total on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons.

Stream your favorite episodes on Paramount Plus. 

21. Yellowbird (2014)

This film is a hero’s quest from an unlikely character. Yellowbird was orphaned at a young age and has never left the nest. 

With no family to lean on, Yellowbird finds himself leading a flock on a migration to Africa who becomes close like brothers and sisters. 

20. Free Birds (2013)

Every year, Reggie the turkey warns his farm friends of the coming Thanksgiving meal doom. But, despite his helpful warnings, Reggie’s farm turns him over to the humans.

The president pardons Reggie, and he lives the easy life until he meets Jake.

Together, they find a time machine to travel back to 1621 to prevent turkeys from being used on Thanksgiving forever. 

19. Hatched (2013)

A group of young chicks is determined to show everyone on the farm that chickens can fly. 

After a spaceship crash lands into the barn, the young chicks befriend an alien named Magic.

However, when he finds himself in some trouble, the young chick trio joins more farm animals to help save their new friend and farm home. 

18. Adventures In Zambezia (2012)

Father and son Falcon Tendai and Kai live a quiet life alone. Kai has no friends and dreams of going on an adventure to explore the world. 

One day, a stork tells Kai of a famous bird land called Zambezia, and eventually, the two fly off to the new famed land of opportunity.

17. Rio (2011)

Rio is a movie about rare blue macaws, one wild and one domesticated. Blu has been living a comfortable life with his owner in Minnesota for 15 years. 

An adventure begins when he gets the chance to visit a female macaw, Jewel, in Rio de Janeiro with the hope of keeping their species alive. 

Once there, the adventures begin, and Blu realizes there’s much more to life outside his comfortable cage.

16. Happy Feet 2 (2011)

The sequel to the original tap-dancing feature takes a turn when Mumble’s son Erik is afraid to dance.

Refusing to dance, Erik runs away from home and discovers a new role model, The Mighty Sven, a penguin that can fly. 

Things go from bad to worse as powerful forces shake the earth.

Now, Erik sees his dad’s superpower of bringing all animals, small and large, together to make things right. 

15. Leafie: A Hen Into the Wild (2011)

A hen named Leafie escapes the terrifying egg production line, outsmarts a weasel with bad intentions, and is turned away from the barnyard animals where she grew up. 

Through all of these challenges, Leafie stays positive, and one day in a chance encounter, she becomes the guardian of a duckling.

Now, her purpose is to secure the happiness and well-being of her new duckling. 

14. Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010)

Before Zack Snyder got immersed with DC superheroes, he gave us this edition of the animated bird movies collection.

A sweeping animated adventure within the world of owls. 

A group of owls kidnaps a young owl from an orphanage, and they try to brainwash him into becoming another one of their soldiers. 

He escapes to a place called “Ga’Hoole” with his friends and joins another band of wise and noble owls so they may battle with the opposing forces.

13. Birds of Paradise (2010)

Jack is an ordinary sparrow with dark-colored feathers who wishes to look more colorful and lively. 

One day, an accident covers Jack in colorful paint, and he loves his new look. His new look leads to a mistaken identity, adventure, and danger. 

12. The Aviators (2008)

This Spanish animated film also focuses on the wartime period and carrier pigeons as the central characters.

Set, this time, in WWI, where the Allies will use a farm as a training and communications post. 

The group of feathered friends living at the farm join up to become couriers and, after their short training, are sent behind enemy lines to assist a trapped American battalion.

11. Surf’s Up (2007)

Surfs up, friends! Introducing another penguin movie, and this one is all about surfing.

Here is a young surfing-obsessed penguin, Cody Maverick, who dreams of entering the Penguin World Surfing Championship. 

He will need to beat the current champion and meet a reclusive retired surfer who will teach him some important life lessons along the journey.

10. Happy Feet (2006)

Happy Feet comes from the creative mind of George Miller, who made the Mad Max franchise, but there’s nothing mad about these penguins. 

It tells the story of a baby penguin, Mumble, who can’t sing, unlike everyone else. But, unfortunately, not being a singer may prevent him from being able to find a soul mate. 

However, he is outstanding at tap dancing and joins another group of Emperor penguins who appreciate his uniqueness more than he ever imagined was possible.

9. Chicken Little (2005)

Our hero is faced with a real problem. He lost his reputation within his hometown when he thought the sky was falling, but now he needs them to believe him. 

An alien invasion is underway, and it is up to Chicken Little and his friends to prevent it.

8. Valiant (2005)

This action-adventure is set during World War II and focuses on a young wood pigeon called Valiant, who dreams of joining the elite core of the Royal Homing Pigeon Service. 

But the mission is fraught with danger as the pigeons come under attack from a deadly squadron of falcons led by the fearsome General Von Talon.

When a seasoned courier is captured, Valiant must become a war hero to save the day.

7. The Trumpet of the Swan (2001)

Louie, a baby swan, is hatched to his excited parents and trumpeter swans with lovely calls. It is quickly discovered that Louie cannot make any sound at all. 

Louie grows up mute and falls in love with Serena. He has a hard time communicating his deep feelings to her.

Louie is determined and learns to play the trumpet beautifully and express his love. 

6. For the Birds (Short – 2000)

This Pixar short film will bring laughs to the whole family as a group of hire wire snooty birds are put in an odd situation. 

A flock of small rude birds perches side by side on a high electrical powerline.

An overside goofy bird decides to join in, and the small snooty birds try to tease and make fun of him, only to have it backfire. 

5. Chicken Run (2000)

This action-adventure comedy is set on a chicken farm where Mr. & Ms. Tweedy are the evil owners.

When Rocky the Rooster arrives at the farm, the chickens believe this might be their chance to escape. 

Ginger, the chicken, leads her fellow birds to flee the doomed farm with Rocky’s help.

It’s fair to say you won’t find many movies where the action hero is a rooster voiced by Mel Gibson. As the tagline states: “This ain’t no chick flick!”

4. The Pebble and the Penguin (1995)

A cute and shy penguin named Hubie has plans to present his engagement pebble to the bird of his dreams before the pebble festival is over. 

Hubie’s simple plan is turned upside down when a rival knocks him off the ice, and Hubie is captured by a ship.

Hubie will need to make new allies and escape back to his home in Antarctica. 

3. Rock-A-Doodle (1991)

Chanticleer is a rooster on a farm, and he sings every morning so the sun will rise. One morning, he is held back from singing, and the sun still rises, making him look like a fraud. 

Chanticleer is pushed out of the farm and runs away to the city. When the rooster is no longer around, the sun stops coming up, and the farm animals realize they made a mistake.

Constant rain and a flood force some animals to look for Chanticleer in the city for his help. 

2. War of the Birds / Fuglekrigen (1990)

A collection of bird friends, an owl, two sparrows, a dove, and a pair of aviator mice band together to fight against an evil bird of prey who threatens to break the peace in their beautiful forest. 

1. Willy the Sparrow (1989)

This highly-rated animated feature comes from Hungary. It tells the story of a ten-year-old boy called Vili, who has a “bad boy” reputation and has been using his airgun to shoot at sparrows. 

A fairy decides to teach the boy a lesson, casts a spell on Vili, and turns him into a sparrow.

During this time, he has several adventures with the other birds, including learning to fly and learning some important life lessons along the way.

Popular Cartoon Bird Movie Questions

In the wonderful world of animated cinema, we are often captivated by the fantastic adventures of bird cartoon characters. These peculiar yet endearing avian personalities navigate through a truly strange world, which is brought to life by the magic of animation.

As we reminisce about the cherished bird movies for kids, it’s impossible to forget the famous cartoon birds that shaped our childhoods. These animated gems showcase captivating tales of friendship and bravery, all told through the eyes of our delightful bird characters.

In conclusion, the world of bird cartoon characters has gifted us with a myriad of delightful tales set in strange and fantastical realms. From bird movies for kids to the timeless classics that have captivated audiences for generations, these avian personalities have become an integral part of our cultural tapestry.

By embracing the magic of animation, these movies about birds continue to inspire and entertain, reminding us that the skies are boundless and our dreams are meant to take flight.

Check out this YouTube bird list for more bird cartoons and animated bird movies. More fun characters can be found on our main cartoon characters page and Disney characters list.