He played as a centre half. When he left school in 1985 he joined Birmingham City as an apprentice, turning professional two years later. He made his debut for the club as a 17-year-old apprentice, on 29 December 1986 in a 1–1 draw at home to Millwall in the Second Division.
By the 1988-1989 season Bird was beginning to establish himself as a first-team player when he suffered a knee injury which effectively ended his career.
He spent a year at the Football Injuries Treatment Centre at Lilleshall, and attempted a comeback with Moor Green, but was forced to retire from the game in 1991 at the age of only 21.