120 This Bird
About this episode
This joyful chat with award-winning illustrator Astred Hicks and BirdLife Australia’s Dr Holly Parsons is about noticing everyday urban birds, playful ways to watch with kids and the surprising travels of the tiny Silvereye.
Astred Hicks is a multi-award-winning illustrator and book designer, as well as an emerging author and a passionate bird nerd. She is excited to notice the world around her. In her illustration, writing, and design work, she aims to evoke wonder and joy in young audiences by sharing her observations of the tiny worlds around us, from birding and the natural environment to the wabi-sabi beauty of street textures. Astred recently received the 2025 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year award for her illustration alongside author Maryam Master.
Dr. Holly Parsons is all about the birds that live where people live. As BirdLife Australia’s Manager of Priority Sites, she oversees programs that aim to protect key habitats, including those in urban areas where her passion lies. Holly leads initiatives that connect people with urban birdlife through citizen science, education, and habitat restoration, and with a passion for turning curiosity into action, she hopes to inspire others to create spaces where birds and people can thrive together.
