Let’s get one thing straight:
A Metalbird in the garden isn’t just décor. It’s not the same as popping down to Mitre 10 for a wind spinner or nailing up a plastic butterfly.
A Metalbird is art. The kind that makes people stop mid-walk, lean over the fence, and say, “Hang on... what’s that?”
It’s part of the world’s largest art project... one backyard at a time.
So today, let’s talk about how to install your bird like you mean it. Not just stick it somewhere and hope for the best... but actually make it part of a scene that turns heads and starts conversations.
The Backyard as Gallery
Most people think of art galleries as big white rooms with security guards and someone shushing you if you get too close.
We reckon the best gallery is your backyard.
Why?
Because it’s personal. It changes with the seasons. It’s full of life... kids, dogs, birds, neighbours who “just popped over” and stayed for three hours.
When you install a Metalbird in your garden, you’re curating a moment. You’re saying, “This is where the story happens.”
The Bold Install vs The Quiet One
There are two kinds of bird people:
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The Quiet Types
- They tuck their Metalbird into a tree, let it blend in, and smile quietly to themselves when they spot it from the kitchen window.
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The Bold Types
- They put their bird somewhere outrageous... on the front fence, on the roof, halfway up a lamppost. They want people to stop, stare, and maybe swerve their car a little.
Both are valid. But if you’re reading this, chances are you’re the second type... or you’re tempted to be.
So let’s get into bold installation ideas that stop traffic.
Idea 1: Front Yard Fame
Most people hide their garden art in the backyard, where no one but the dog can see it.
Not you.
Hammer your Metalbird into a front fence post, right by the gate. Or better yet, install it on top of the letterbox. That way, every time the courier rocks up, they’ll get an art experience with their GPS directions.
Bonus points if you choose a bird with local meaning... a Fantail for NZ, a Robin for the UK, a Cardinal for the US. It sparks conversations like:
“Oh wow, is that a Tūī?”
“Yep, and it’s watching you drop junk mail.”
Idea 2: Rooftop Residency
Want to make people do a double-take? Put a Metalbird on your roofline.
From the street, it’ll look like a real bird at first glance. But then the penny drops: “Hang on, that’s steel.”
Suddenly, you’ve got neighbourhood legend status. People will start calling your place “the house with the bird on top.” Could be worse, right?
Just make sure you’re safe up there... no ladders after wine.
Idea 3: Tree Silhouettes
If you’ve got a tall tree in the yard, use it.
Place your Metalbird so it catches the skyline at dawn or dusk. The silhouette game is strong when you do this right. Think of it as backyard theatre... your bird is the lead actor in the sunset show.
We’ve had customers install birds in memorial trees, or in the spot where Grandma used to sit with a cuppa. It turns a tree into a story, not just a leafy lump.
Idea 4: Pondside Perches
Got a pond? Or even a birdbath that’s seen better days?
Stick a Heron or Kingfisher right by the water. It creates this little moment of stillness... like nature paused for a photo.
Even if the pond is actually just an old bathtub with algae in it, trust me: the bird makes it art.
Idea 5: Fence Line Flock
Why stop at one bird?
Line up a flock of Metalbirds along the fence. Different species, different sizes, all angled like they’re in mid-flight.
It turns your boring old fence into a runway of wings. Plus, it looks ace when the shadows hit at different times of day.
We’ve had people do this with Robins, Tūīs, Hummingbirds... you name it. It’s like your own private aviary, but without the seed bill.
Idea 6: Community Installations
If you’re really bold, go beyond your own garden.
Some of our customers have installed Metalbirds in shared spaces... think community gardens, school playgrounds, park fences.
One guy hammered a Blackbird onto the railing of a public walkway in Wellington. No plaque, no permission... just did it. That’s part of the magic. It becomes street art, but without the spray paint.
Just remember: cheeky installations are fun, but don’t get arrested. We need you for the next bird drop.
Why It Matters
At Metalbird, we’re not just flogging garden ornaments. We’re creating moments that connect people to place.
Every bird you install adds to the world’s largest outdoor art project. One silhouette at a time, from backyards in Auckland to balconies in Amsterdam.
And the best part? It’s yours. You decide where it goes, how it lands, and what story it tells.
Show Us Yours
We love seeing where our birds end up.
Got a bold backyard install? Share it with us. Whether it’s on the roof, by the pond, or halfway up a public sculpture (no judgement), we want to see it.
Tag us on Instagram or flick us an email. You might just inspire the next person to go big.
Want to Join the Project?
If you’re ready to turn your backyard into a mini art gallery... or your front yard into a neighbourhood talking point... find your bird here.
Go on. Stop traffic. Life’s short.