Tucked away in the laneways of Sydney’s bustling central business district, Forgotten Songs is a hidden gem that offers a poignant reflection on the impact of urbanization on native bird species. Located in Angel Place, a short stroll from Martin Place and Pitt Street Mall, this evocative art installation captivates visitors with its haunting beauty and thought-provoking message.
Created by Australian artist Michael Thomas Hill, Forgotten Songs consists of numerous empty birdcages suspended above the pedestrian walkway, accompanied by an immersive soundscape of recorded bird calls. The artwork serves as a homage to the birds that once filled the area with their songs before the expansion of the city forced them into retreat.
Forgotten Songs, Sydney, Australia
The concept of Forgotten Songs was initially developed as a temporary installation for Sydney’s public art program and proved so impactful that it was later made permanent. Each suspended birdcage represents a species that once thrived in the landscape before urban development dramatically altered its habitat.
Throughout the day, the sound of birdsong resonates through the alley, featuring calls from species such as the Eastern Whipbird and the Superb Lyrebird — birds that once flourished in the dense forests that predated Sydney’s modern skyline. As night falls, the soundscape shifts to include nocturnal species like the Powerful Owl, drawing attention to nature’s adaptation to urban intrusion while also emphasizing what has been lost.
Accessing Forgotten Songs is simple for both locals and tourists. Angel Place is a short walk from Wynyard and Martin Place train stations, and multiple bus routes stop nearby. For those exploring central Sydney on foot, the installation is conveniently located near shopping districts, theaters, and major city landmarks, making it an easy and enriching addition to any itinerary. Once visitors arrive, they are greeted by the striking visual of delicate metal cages hanging above, delicately swaying with the breeze. The absence of birds within them is a powerful visual metaphor for displacement, reinforcing the installation’s environmental message.
Forgotten Songs, Sydney, Australia
Spending time beneath the canopy of silent cages and shifting bird calls is a meditative experience. Many visitors pause to listen, absorbing the layered sounds that transport them to a time when the city was rich with natural birdlife. The gentle background of chirps, warbles, and coos creates an atmosphere of remembrance and awareness, encouraging reflection on the connection between nature and urban spaces. At night, when the alley is aglow with city lights and resonating with twilight birdsong, the scene takes on an even more ethereal quality.
While the birds featured in Forgotten Songs have not gone extinct, their disappearance from central Sydney is a reminder of how urbanization reshapes ecosystems. Many of these species, once common in the area, have been forced to retreat to the city’s outskirts or farther into the bush as their natural habitats were replaced by buildings and roads. The installation highlights this silent loss, prompting visitors to reflect on the broader impact of human development on wildlife and the importance of conservation efforts to protect the species that still remain.
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Forgotten Songs serves as a tribute to Australia’s ecological history, inviting passersby to consider the delicate interplay between human development and the natural environment. It is a must-visit for those interested in public art, urban history, or environmental conservation. Whether stumbled upon by chance or sought out intentionally, this installation leaves an indelible impression, reminding visitors of the voices that once filled the city — and the importance of preserving them where they still remain.
Have you ever been to see Sydney’s Forgotten Songs? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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