i just beat the game the other day and it has to be one of the best scary games i have played in a long time. the graphics and immersion is unreal cant wait to play it again. from playing through it there has to be some meaning behind all the birds you find, its on the damn title screan for crying out loud

however they dont elaberate in the story at all, maybe something to be left for the sequal?
i didnt find all the birds or metal pieces so i really couldnt tell you what your doing wrong. i was wondering the same thing if you have to find all the same items you have found before when you start a new game. you should realize it rather soon as there are some obvious birds and metal pieces that you should notice picking up a second time.