Bird Karma – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Bird Karma

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2018

65%

WISE Score

A wordless animated short about a greedy bird learning that too much is, well, too much—fine for a rainy afternoon, then immediately forgotten.

Bird Karma

movie

G, 2018

65%

WISE Score

A wordless animated short about a greedy bird learning that too much is, well, too much—fine for a rainy afternoon, then immediately forgotten.

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Screenwise Verdict

Bird Karma is one of those animated shorts that checks the boxes—it's got a moral, it's visually competent, and it won't traumatize anyone. But let's be real: with a 6.0 on IMDb and 3.2 on Letterboxd, this isn't exactly a hidden gem.

It's a perfectly fine 5-10 minute watch for younger kids who need a quick screen break, and the greed-and-consequences lesson is solid enough to warrant a brief conversation afterward. The wordless storytelling is a nice touch for building visual literacy, but it also means some kids will zone out without dialogue to hold their attention.

The problem? It's forgettable. You'll watch it once, nod approvingly at the message, and then never think about it again. It's available on Peacock Premium, so if you're already subscribed and need something short and harmless, go for it. But don't go out of your way—there are far more engaging, memorable animated shorts out there that deliver similar lessons with more heart and creativity.

Age Fit

Best for ages 5-10 who can handle a mild cautionary tale and appreciate visual storytelling. The wordless format and moral lesson make it educational for early elementary, but tweens will find it too simplistic and short to care about.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A wordless fable about greed and consequences that teaches moderation through a bird's journey. The moral lesson is clear without being preachy, and the tone is appropriate for younger viewers. No dialogue means universal emotional accessibility, though the greed theme might feel a bit heavy-handed.

Imaginative

Visually creative animated short with stylized art direction and a non-verbal storytelling approach that requires viewers to interpret the narrative. The premise of a bird's escalating greed leading to consequences is conceptually interesting, though at likely under 10 minutes, there's limited space for deep world-building or exploration.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 7, suggesting mild content. As an animated fable about a bird, it's unlikely to contain graphic violence, though the 'consequences' aspect and 'accidental discovery' language hints at some potentially startling moments. The greed storyline might involve the bird eating excessively or facing comeuppance. No indication of inappropriate content, but the consequences theme could be mildly intense.

Enriching

Clear moral lesson about greed, moderation, and consequences that can spark ethical discussions. The wordless format encourages visual literacy and interpretation skills. However, as a short animated fable with a straightforward message, the enrichment is somewhat limited—it's a parable, not a deeply layered narrative. The 6.0 IMDb and 3.2 Letterboxd ratings suggest it's competent but not particularly memorable or impactful.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Clear moral lesson about greed and consequences without being preachy
Wordless storytelling means no language barriers and encourages kids to interpret visual cues
Short runtime (likely under 10 minutes) makes it digestible for younger attention spans
Stylized animation offers something visually different from typical kids' fare

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What to Watch For

The 'consequences' aspect might include some startling or mildly intense moments when the bird's greed catches up with it
Wordless format means some kids might lose interest without dialogue to anchor them
It's a straightforward fable—don't expect Pixar-level emotional depth or rewatchability

Conversation Starters

"What do you think the bird was feeling when it kept wanting more fish?"
"Have you ever wanted something so badly that you didn't think about what might happen?"
"Why do you think the bird couldn't stop, even when it had enough?"
"What would you have done differently if you were the bird?"

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