This is a collection of short stories that addresses the zeitgeist of our times: climate change and global pandemics; recognition of indigenous cultures; and strong political divisions. Merlinda Bobis has a simple answer: the act of kindness. Most of us fail to realise the power that simple selfless acts of kindness can have on the world.

Many of the stories have parallel narratives that take place in the past and characters will also bleed from one story into another. The birds from the title pop up everywhere, so many species, but they are mainly used symbolically.

Just as the stories interlink, there is an underlying theme to the book: that is that we are all linked together in this world. Life, species, races, all linked, and one of the acts that enriches these links is kindness.

Kindness between friends, kindness between races, kindness between species. Life for all benefits from acts of kindness. There are reminders of shameful parts of history. The stolen generation, the illegality of interracial marriage, slavery, racism. But these reminders also make us realise how far we have moved on from such atrocities and draconian laws.

These stories are beautifully written. Bobis has written six books of poetry, and it shows in the prose, the writing demanding appreciation.

This collection recognises that we, regardless of race, or even species, are all in this together. Never has this been more evident, or more important, than today with COVID and climate change. Global problems affect all life on this planet. These stories acknowledge this, while also filling the reader with hope and inspiration.

Reviewed by Neale Lucas