Big Bird's precise species is unknown, and over the years, there have been varying explanations for his unusual size and appearance:
During a 1976 appearance on Hollywood Squares, host Peter Marshall asked, "What kind of a bird are you, by the way?" Big Bird's responds: "I'm a lark." [2]
In a 1981 episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, King Friday XIII asked Big Bird if he's related to the cassowary. Big Bird replied "actually, I'm a golden condor." [3]
The 1998 book Sesame Street Unpaved says that Big Bird's scientific name is "Bigus canarius". [4]
In the 2004 direct-to-video special A Celebration of Me, Grover, Big Bird says, "I wish I could fly like Super Grover. But my Grandpa was an emu bird. They can't fly. But they can run! Every fall, Grandpa ran south for the winter." Also Big Bird always says he can't fly, but because he's only 6 could be a reason why he can't fly.
Oscar the Grouch sometimes refers to Big Bird as a "turkey" -- an insult rather than a reflection of Big Bird's species. However, this does help Big Bird hitch a ride on a turkey truck in the 1985 film Follow That Bird; he talks his way onto the truck by claiming that "my friend Oscar always says that I'm a big turkey!" In a 2009 interview with TV Guide, Big Bird said that Oscar is "a little grouchy. He calls me a turkey. I'm not a turkey; I'm a lark." [5]
In a 2009 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live when host Jimmy Kimmel asks him if he has ever "d" Big Bird replies: "Uh, no but I have an Uncle turkey who gobbles".
Big Bird lives alone on Sesame Street, essentially adopted by the general neighborhood, with Susan and Gordon often acting as stand-in parents. In Sesame Street Home Video Visits the Hospital, when the hospital receptionist asks if Maria is Big Bird's mother, she replied, ""Not exactly... Kind of... Yes."
As a baby, Big Bird was raised by his Granny Bird and his aunt, Nani Bird. As he became more self-reliant, Big Bird moved out on his own, to his nest on Sesame Street.
Granny Bird remains a part of his life; he's visited her in various books. [6] When Big Bird's nest was destroyed in a hurricane in 2001, Big Bird called Granny for advice about building a new nest. [7]
There is also scattered evidence of other relations. In a 1971 episode, Big Bird receives a coat from his mommy in the mail, and he babysits for his sister's egg in a 1972 episode. He also mentions a mother, father, and sister in the song "Tall Enough". It's unclear why Big Bird was raised apart from his nuclear family.
Cousin Bubba, according to the Elmo's World episode "Penguins," lives at the South Pole. A scarf his Granny Bird knitted for Bubba is shown draped on a penguin.
Cousin Bernie; a seagull, whom he has fish with every time they visit, as mentioned in Big Bird in Japan
Big Bird's Grandfather; an emu bird, mentioned in A Celebration of Me, Grover
Big Bird's uncle; a turkey, mentioned on his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. When he was shown the Doodle of his legs and was asked if he ever "s", he replies "No, but I have an uncle turkey who gobbles."
Big Bird's cousin Robin, mentioned and seen in the song Spring is Here
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