When you hammer a Metalbird into your garden, you might think it’s just a personal moment.
But it’s not.
It’s part of something global.
A living, growing art project that stretches across backyards, balconies, parks, and paddocks in over 30 countries.
One bird at a time. One story at a time.
That’s the heart of what we do at Metalbird: build a worldwide flock of stories, not just silhouettes.
The Power of a Pin Drop
Every time someone sends us a photo of their Metalbird, we imagine it as a pin on the map.
New Zealand, Australia, the US, Canada, the UK, Europe... each bird adds to the landscape in a small but meaningful way.
It’s not about mass production. It’s about connection.
You might think you’re just hammering a bird into the garden in Auckland. But someone else is doing the same thing in Amsterdam. Or Arkansas. Or Adelaide.
And behind each one is a story that matters to them.
One Bird. One Story.
We decided to start sharing these stories, one at a time.
Not just the glossy testimonials, but the real moments.
Here are a few from the flock:
Grey Lynn, New Zealand
“I hammered in a Tūī after Mum died. Now I watch it from the kitchen window while I make tea. It’s not her, but it’s something.”
– Jess, Grey Lynn
Byron Bay, Australia
“My partner gave me a Kookaburra when we moved in together. It’s on the fence post now. We call it the relationship referee.”
– Luke, Byron Bay
Chicago, USA
“We put a Hummingbird in the community garden after lockdown. It reminds us to slow down. To breathe. To look up sometimes.”
– Marcy, Chicago
Amsterdam, Netherlands
“My dad loved birds. When he passed, I installed a Metalbird Robin on the balcony. It catches the morning light. So do I.”
– Pieter, Amsterdam
Edinburgh, Scotland
“We gave my gran a pair of Blackbirds for her 80th. Now she sits on the porch and tells people stories about them. Some of the stories are made up, but who cares?”
– Callum, Edinburgh
Why These Stories Matter
It’s easy to think of art as something that hangs in a gallery, locked behind glass.
But the world’s largest outdoor art project isn’t about ticketed exhibitions. It’s about ordinary people turning ordinary places into something meaningful.
A Metalbird isn’t just décor. It’s a story marker.
It holds:
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Memory
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Connection
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Place
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Presence
That’s why people send us their photos and notes. They’re not showing off... they’re sharing moments.
Building a Global Flock
We never planned for this to get so big.
But now that it has, we’re not stopping.
Every week, another bird goes in the ground somewhere. Another story starts.
It could be:
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A wedding anniversary
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A retirement
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A memorial
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A new home
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A simple act of joy in the middle of a Tuesday
Each one is a moment captured in steel.
The Birds Are the Medium. The People Are the Art.
We make the birds, sure.
But the real art happens when you put them in your place, your way, for your reason.
That’s why no two installations are the same.
Some people go bold... right on the front fence for the world to see.
Others tuck their bird in the back garden, where it catches the sunrise and no one else knows it’s there.
Both are part of the project. Both are valid, beautiful choices.
The Rust is Part of the Story Too
Metalbirds don’t stay shiny. They’re made of Corten steel, so they rust on purpose.
That rust is a record of time passing.
The seasons change. You change. The bird changes too.
That’s the point.
It’s not about perfection... it’s about belonging to the landscape.
Want to Share Your Story?
We’d love to hear it.
Where did you install your bird?
What’s the story behind it?
Send us a photo. Send us a note. Tell us about the person, the place, the memory, or the moment.
We might feature it in the next chapter of the world’s largest art project.
Join the Flock
If you haven’t installed your bird yet... or if you’re ready to add another to your story... you know where to find us.
Find your bird here.
One bird. One story. One world-spanning art project. And you’re part of it.
Suggested Image:
A world map with soft pin drops or birds marked in various countries... NZ, Australia, the US, UK, Europe. Overlay a few real photos of installations in situ: backyards, balconies, community gardens. Honest, unfiltered moments.