Birdo, known in Japanese as Catherine (キャサリン, Kyasarin, [kʲa.sa.ɾiɴ]), is a character in the Mario franchise. Her first appearance was as an enemy in Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, which was localized for English-language audiences as Super Mario Bros. 2. Since the character's North American introduction, Birdo's gender identity has been a target of controversy and speculation. In the first edition manual for the English North American release of Super Mario Bros. 2, Birdo is referred to by a text