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Sydney's Birdman: Death in Plain Sight
22 Apr
Summary
- Bikram Lama died near Sydney's busy St James tunnel entrance.
- His body lay undiscovered for up to a week in December 2025.
- Lama, a former student, was undocumented and homeless.
Bikram Lama, known as Sydney's 'birdman,' died tragically near the St James tunnel entrance in December 2025. His body lay hidden for up to a week, unnoticed by the estimated 100,000 daily commuters. Lama, who had been living outdoors during a heatwave, was found by station staff on December 7.
Originally from Nepal, Lama came to Sydney with aspirations for study and a better future. However, an expired student visa left him undocumented, ineligible for essential services like housing, healthcare, and financial aid. He became homeless, frequenting Hyde Park and the St James tunnel area.
Locals nicknamed him 'birdman' for his daily ritual of feeding pigeons, who seemed to notice his absence before humans did. His death has sparked outcry, with officials acknowledging the "ugly gaps" in support systems for non-citizens.
The incident prompts critical questions: Should support services extend to undocumented individuals? Could timely intervention have saved Lama? And how many others remain invisible within society, slipping through the cracks unnoticed until it is too late?
