The Andy Griffith Show Episode 101: Opie the Birdman

Originally Aired on Sep 30, 1963.   Average User Rating: 9.2 out of 10  (105193 entries).

Opie accidentally kills a mother bird with his new slingshot and takes it upon himself to raise the orphaned baby birds. After adopting them with the Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod, Opie faces the difficult task of setting them free.

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comment about 'Opie the Birdman' posted 11/3/2006 8:14:54 PM PST:

"This episode is special to my husband and me. We adopted our son when he was 2 months old. When he was about 6 we took him to the place where we picked him up to take him home. We parked in front of the building. My husband told him he was adopted and told him about this episode of Andy Griffth. While he was telling him this, a little bird flew on the hood of our car and set there until he told him that he was special and that he was adopted. " - Linda Elmore from Huntington, Arkansas 72940

comment about 'Opie the Birdman' posted 11/1/2006 2:10:59 PM PST:

"This episode has special meaning for me, because when I was 6, I lost my temper and blindly threw a rock at my brother, and hit hit square in the forehead, causing a wicket cut and lump. I still remember the intense fear and remorse I felt while waiting in the ER, wondering if my brother was going to die; similar to how Opie felt when he tried to rouse the bird. Fortunately my brother only had stitches. This show demonstrates all of life's wisdom and is my moral and emotional guide as a new father." - Bob Lincoln from Taunton, MA

comment about 'Opie the Birdman' posted 9/30/2006 11:01:17 PM PST:

"This is probably the single greatest episode of any sitcom I have ever seen. Don't the trees sound nice and full?" - Larry from Baltimore

comment about 'Opie the Birdman' posted 2/27/2006 10:24:39 AM PST:

"family television does'nt get any better than this. Every father of a young boy or girl should watch this episode more than once. The best episode. Mr. McBeevee a close second." - dan gribble from hebron indiana

comment about 'Opie the Birdman' posted 1/12/2006 4:05:29 PM PST:

"Amazing lesson here...........tragedies can sometimes make us better people. This episode is unforgettable in my mind. I always hope the trees are full, and that I will take the time to notice them. TAGS is a showcase of what's special in all of us. I hope my children grow to love this show! Good stuff!" - Aaron from Atlanta, Texas

comment about 'Opie the Birdman' posted 12/27/2005 7:47:43 PM PST:

"The final line of this show isn't the "trees seem full" one. It's "Of course, if it bothers you, I'll turn it off." The original ending has Barney buying Opie some fish to replace the newly departed birds. Otis has left his transistor radio at the jail and Andy puts it in the drawer for safekeeping. Barney goes on about how fish communicate, so Andy turns on Otis' radio. Andy lets Barney think the sound of the radio is the fish talking, but then ends the show by saying "if it bothers you, I'll turn it off." TVLand strikes (edits) again... " - Rusty from North Carolina