Alvira was born in 1978, she belongs to the Anmatyerrre/ Eastern Arrernte languagegroup and her traditional country is Ilkawerne situated 200 km north of Alice Springs in Central Australia. She is the 5th eldest child of eleven children to Paddy and Eileen Bird. Alvira grew up in her very strong close family group on Mulga Bore outstation. Now married with two children, Alvira and her family live at Engawala, a small community on Ilkawerne country approximately 40km from Mulga Bore.
Alvira grew up surrounded by many of our well-known Australian artists including her grandfather Lindsay Bird Mpetyane and grandmother Ada Bird Petyarre. She has been painting since the mid 90’s many times assisting her grandmother and aunties with their paintings. The main themes for her paintings include Alpar– rattail plant, Ahakey- Bush Plum and Tyankern- Mulga Seed.