The Bear family receives a unique gift from eccentric Uncle Bruno — an old-fashioned cuckoo clock. But only Rupert learns how special it really is: the cuckoo inside is alive and bored with being locked in a clock all day. She decides to fly away and try to live among wild birds. Rupert’s efforts to find her soon turn into a mission to save dozens of birds being held captive by a cruel collector.
First appearance of Odmedod the living scarecrow.
This episode provides examples of:
- All Up to You: Odmedod has to fly the plane and save Rupert when he gets captured.
- Bring Help Back: When Rupert gets captured by the Bird Man, Tick Tock goes to get Odmedod to help.
- The Collector: The Bird Man wants to collect every species of bird
- The Dreaded: All the birds are afraid of the unknown Bird Man that's been capturing birds for several weeks.
- Kidnapping Bird of Prey: Rupert gets captured by a giant hawk who mistakes him for the Bird Man.
- Locking MacGyver in the Store Cupboard: The Bird Man locks Rupert in the same room as all of his captured birds. Rupert’s able to get one of them to undo his ropes and another's claw to pick the lock on his cage.
- Masquerade: Rupert's the only one Odemdod talks to.
- Misblamed: Tick Tock continues to cuckoo while Rupert carries her clock in a box, causing a flock of crows to think he’s the one kidnapping birds.
- No Name Given: The Collector is dubbed the Bird Man by the Bird Kingdom, but his real name is never revealed.
- Parental Bonus: A robin freaks out when Tick Tock approaches her nest, assuming she's a real cuckoo bird. Anyone who knows anything about the... unique childrearing customs of cuckoos will understand why.
- Ravens and Crows: A flock of them chase and later capture Rupert.
- Running Gag: As usual whenever he goes to the Bird Kingdom, Rupert gets taken prisoner by some birds.
- Scared of What's Behind You: The birds stop chasing Rupert when he runs into Odmedod's field.
- Scary Scarecrows: Played with — all birds are afraid of Odmedod, but he's pleased he ends up scaring the human villain, as well.
- Universal Driver's License: Rupert is able to fly the farmer’s crop duster with no practice. He finds it similar to the Professor's other machines that he's flown.
