For the Birds (film)

Plot

A small, egg-shaped blue bird lands on a powerline and makes himself comfortable, only for a second bird to land close by. The two birds start squabbling and are gradually joined by 13 others of the same species, all bickering for space.

A large, awkward shoebill-like bird honks and waves at them from a nearby power pole, interrupting the squabble. The 15 little stubby birds start imitating his plumage and honk, mockingly, until the tall, thin bird again calls to them, causing the little birds to scoot further down the line and quietly gossip about it.

Undeterred, the bigger bird flies and perches between the flock of smaller birds, but his weight causes the powerline to sag almost to the ground. The smaller birds slide down and are squished together against the big bird's sides. They start chirping indignantly about the cramped space, but the big bird doesn't understand that they are angry and joins in with more squawking.

After a few seconds, one little bird angrily pecks the big bird's side, making him stand up in alarm and fall backward, hanging upside down by his feet. Cheered on by the others, the two little birds in the middle start pecking the big bird's toes, which release one by one from the line, though the big bird doesn't seem to be bothered by this. One little bird eventually realizes how close to the ground they are and warns the others, before they finally alert the middle two. They stop too late, and the last toe of the big bird releases, accidentally snapping the line like a slingshot and flinging the little birds out of sight.

The bigger bird lands unharmed on the ground and plays with the floating feathers until one of the smaller birds, now naked, crash lands beside him. He sees the naked little bird and laughs at him, though he kindly offers a leaf for coverage. Seconds later, the 14 other little birds land nearby, also nude. The big bird laughs even harder at the little birds, who quickly hide behind him in defeat.

Accolades

For the Birds won the following awards:

• 2001: 74th Academy Awards—Best Short Animated Film
• 2001: Vancouver Effects and Animation Festival—Animated Computer 3D Short
• 2001: Anima Mundi Animation Festival—Best Film x2
• 2001: Chicago International Children's Film Festival-Short Film or Video—Animation—Second Place
• 2000: Annie Award—Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Short Subject
• 2000: Sitges—Catalan International Film Festival—Best Animated Short Film

Easter eggs

A reference to For the Birds was put in the 2006 Pixar film Cars, during the Life Is A Highway segment. When Lightning McQueen is in the back of Mack, they drive down the freeway and pass a section of powerline with the birds resting on top, which is accompanied by the squeaks the birds made to communicate with each other. A similar appearance occurred in Inside Out, while Riley and her family are driving to San Francisco at the beginning of the movie. The small birds also make a cameo appearance in the upcoming film Hoppers, which director Daniel Chong confirmed was a deliberate homage.

The birds can be found in the main hub world for the Kinect game Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure.

Releases

For the Birds is one of two short films on the DVD and VHS release of Monsters, Inc. The film was also released as part of Pixar Short Films Collection, Volume 1 in 2007. The short was shown alongside the 3D re-release of Monsters Inc. on December 19, 2012. The short was also released in 3D on Monsters, Inc. Blu-ray 3D, on February 19, 2013. For the Birds was paired in theaters in front of Luca on March 22, 2024.

Notes

References

References

1. (March 22, 2002). "The 74th Academy Awards (2002) Nominees and Winners". The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
2. Linder, Brian. (February 13, 2002). "Oscar Spotlight: Animated Short Film". IGN.
3. Tipton, Janelle. (December 19, 2012). "Behind the Scenes of 'Monsters, Inc. 3D', 'Oz' Trailer Debut in Theaters". The Walt Disney Company.
4. (January 4, 2013). "Monsters, Inc. 3D Blu-ray Detailed". Blu-ray.com.
5. Moreau, Jordan. (2023-12-05). "Pixar’s ‘Soul,’ ‘Turning Red’ and ‘Luca’ Coming to Theaters After Disney+ Debuts During Pandemic".
6. [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BOO0bn8qVlU For The Birds Wins Animated Short Film: 2002 Oscars]
7. Hill, Jim. (December 8, 2007). "A special "Where's WALL-E" edition of Why For?". Jim Hill Media.
8. (June 20, 2015). "'Inside Out' Easter Eggs, Trivia & Pixar References". Screen Rant.
9. Chong, Daniel. (November 20, 2025). "Daniel Chong on X".