Pre-Bird is a Charles Mingus album released in 1961 by Mercury Records. The title refers to music before the influence of Charlie Parker, although the album includes original Mingus compositions and standards that reflect his stylistic evolution.
The recording sessions took place on March 25, 1961 at Nola Penthouse Studios in New York, with a sextet including musicians such as Booker Ervin (tenor sax) and Dannie Richmond (drums). The producer was Nesuhi Ertegun, a key figure at the label.
The album was later reissued on CD by Verve Records, and is considered a transitional work in Mingus's discography, showing his interest in blues and gospel before his more avant-garde period.