1 of 2 2 of 2

Myfanwy MacLeod’s beloved public artwork The Birds has taken roost back in Olympic Village today.

The giant sparrows had been sent out for repairs in November, after showing signs of severe damage due to people climbing, riding bicycles, and--yes--even skateboarding on the feathered creatures.

The restoration was no small undertaking: the sculptures had to be taken to Calgary to prepare for mould-making before heading to China for casting in aluminum to protect them against future wear and tear. The Birds flew back to Calgary for finishing and coating work.

Needless to say, the City is requesting people refrain from any more climbing or other activities on the sparrows.

The reinstallation has been timed for the 27th International Ornithological Congress that runs from August 19 to 26, which is expected to bring 30,000 visitors to the city.

The artwork was originally commissioned by the City of Vancouver through its Olympic and Paralympic Public Art Program in 2010.

In other news, the reinstallation of The Birds joins another project by Macleod in partnership with the Contemporary Art Gallery. From now until September 3, a series of posters featuring birds, called "Neighbours", will be displayed across downtown Vancouver in transit shelters. The watercolours feature birds that are familiar to Vancouverites but migrate here from elsewhere. Look for species like the House Sparrow, Common Nightingale, Calliope Hummingbird, and Sandhill Crane.

One of the watercolours in Myfanwy MacLeod's Neighbours project.

It's aimed not only at marking the opening of the ornithological congress, but at coinciding with this year’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act established between Canada and the U.S. The act is now under review by an American Congress that is not exactly known for making ecological strides.





“I’m thrilled The Birds and my new project Neighbours will be installed in time to celebrate this environmental milestone, as well as, the opening of the IOC 2018," MacLeod said in a press statement today. "I'm extremely grateful for all the support and commitment of The Contemporary Art Gallery and the City of Vancouver's Public Art Program on both these projects.”

Meanwhile, here is some of the social-media buzz today about the reinstallation of The Birds: