Residents of a Sydney suburb are trying to solve an unusual mystery after an unidentified man allegedly spent the past two years scattering birdseed on local streets in the middle of the night, attracting large flocks of native birds and leaving neighbours to deal with noise, bird droppings and property damage each morning. Dubbed the “Birdman of Burwood” by locals, the hooded figure reportedly arrives around midnight or 4 am, spreads seed outside apartment buildings and disappears before sunrise. Residents say his quiet but calculated routine has transformed their once-peaceful street into a noisy gathering place for cockatoos and corellas every morning. The daily influx of birds has left neighbours frustrated, with one resident describing the aftermath as a recurring “poo explosion”. Despite CCTV footage, media attention and repeated complaints, the man’s identity and motive remain unknown.
Who is Australia ‘s mysterious ‘Birdman of Burwood ‘?
The story first gained widespread attention after Australia’s A Current Affair aired footage showing the unidentified man carrying buckets of birdseed through Burwood, an inner-west suburb of Sydney. Residents told the programme the man has followed the same routine for about two years, arriving before dawn wearing a hoodie, face covering and gloves. He reportedly ignores anyone who approaches him and quietly leaves once the seed has been scattered.The man carries out his routine with remarkable consistency. He reportedly moves through the neighbourhood under the cover of darkness with speed and precision, scattering birdseed before leaving without stopping to watch the birds gather. Residents say he has never spoken to anyone or explained why he keeps returning, making it difficult for neighbours to identify him despite repeated sightings over the past two years.
Why are residents complaining?
Residents say the scattered birdseed attracts large flocks of sulphur-crested cockatoos and corellas shortly after sunrise. While the birds are native to Australia, their unusually large numbers have created problems for people living nearby. Residents say bird droppings cover parked cars, balconies, footpaths and outdoor furniture, while the birds’ loud calls begin early each morning. Some also report damage to gardens and common areas, along with the cost of repeatedly cleaning their properties. One resident described the daily aftermath as a “poo explosion”, a phrase that has since become associated with the story.According to residents, what was once a quiet residential street now erupts into loud squawking every morning as the birds descend to feed. One television report described the scene as an “all-you-can-eat buffet and an open-air toilet” for the birds. “He doesn’t even stay and watch for the birds, he just leaves,” resident Louis told A Current Affair. Another resident, Adam, said he had even stayed awake hoping to confront the man because the ongoing situation had become increasingly frustrating.
Why does the man keep feeding the birds?
No official explanation has ever been given. During one of the man’s reported 4 am visits, the reporter Maggie Raworth approached him and asked why he continued feeding the birds despite the disruption caused to residents. She questioned whether he realised neighbours were losing sleep and struggling to enjoy their homes. The man did not respond, continued scattering birdseed and walked away without revealing his identity.Some residents have speculated that the feeding could be motivated by a personal dispute or another undisclosed reason. One resident suggested it might involve a “scorned lover” or someone paying the man to target the neighbourhood. However, these theories remain unverified, and there is no evidence linking the man’s actions to any specific motive.
Are authorities able to stop him?
Residents say “Do Not Feed the Birds” signs have been placed around the area, but the nightly visits have continued. Australia does not have a nationwide law banning people from feeding wild birds, although wildlife experts generally discourage the practice because it can alter birds’ natural behaviour, attract unnaturally large flocks, increase disease risks and create sanitation issues. Whether any local council regulations or public nuisance laws apply depends on the specific circumstances.Although residents have repeatedly complained and warning signs remain in place, there has been no public announcement that the unidentified man has been charged or formally stopped from continuing his early morning visits.
Feeding wild birds can become a problem
Wildlife experts have long warned against regularly feeding native birds because it changes their natural feeding patterns and encourages them to gather in unusually high numbers. Large congregations of birds can increase competition for food, spread disease more easily and lead to conflicts with nearby residents through noise, droppings and property damage. In urban areas, food left on the ground may also attract rodents and other pests, creating additional public health concerns.Experts also note that frequent feeding can make wild birds increasingly dependent on human-provided food, reducing their natural foraging behaviour and altering local ecosystems. For this reason, conservation organisations generally advise people to avoid routinely feeding wild birds unless specifically recommended as part of a managed wildlife programme.
A mystery that remains unsolved
Two years after the mysterious visits reportedly began, the identity of Burwood’s “Birdman” remains unknown. He continues to appear under the cover of darkness, silently scattering birdseed before disappearing ahead of sunrise. While his unusual routine has become a source of fascination across Australia, it has also left many residents dealing with sleepless mornings, noisy flocks and streets covered in bird droppings. Until authorities identify the man or he chooses to explain his actions, one of Sydney’s strangest neighbourhood mysteries is likely to remain unsolved.
