There’s something magic about stepping into a backyard that feels alive.
Not just neat lawns and a deck chair, but a place that actually hums with life... birds darting through the trees, bees in the flowers, a breeze moving through native grasses.
That’s not a backyard. That’s a habitat. A mini ecosystem. And it’s easier to create than you might think.
At Metalbird, we believe in turning ordinary backyards into living art... places that grow, change, and hold stories. It’s about more than sticking a bird in the ground. It’s about building a space where nature belongs.
Why Native Matters
When you plant native species, you’re not just choosing plants that look nice. You’re choosing plants that support local wildlife.
Native birds, insects, and lizards have evolved alongside these plants. They know how to live together. It’s like setting the table for guests you actually want to stay.
For example:
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In New Zealand, planting Kōwhai, Harakeke (flax), and Pōhutukawa brings in the Tūīs, Bellbirds, and Fantails.
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In Australia, Grevilleas and Bottlebrush attract Lorikeets, Honeyeaters, and little wrens.
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In the US and Canada, try Milkweed for Monarchs and Serviceberry or Dogwood for local songbirds.
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In the UK, Hawthorn and Rowan are bird magnets, feeding everything from Robins to Blackbirds.
Native plants don’t just survive... they thrive. Less watering, less fuss, and no weird chemicals needed. They’re built for your backyard.
Pairing Birds with Plants
One of the best ways to create a backyard that feels alive is to pair your Metalbird with local planting.
Imagine a Fantail silhouette flitting above real Kōwhai blossoms. Or a Kingfisher perched next to a pond lined with native reeds.
The idea isn’t to make your garden look like a museum diorama. It’s to create moments where art and life blur together.
When someone sees your Metalbird installation, you want them to pause and think:
"Hang on... is that real?"
That moment of double-take? That’s where the magic is.
Bold vs Subtle Installs
There’s no one way to install a Metalbird in the garden. Some people go big and bold. Others go quiet and subtle.
Bold Ideas:
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Place a Tūī or Cardinal silhouette front and centre, where it catches the morning light.
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Install a Heron beside a pond or water feature, where the reflection doubles the drama.
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Create a flock of small birds... Robins, Fantails, Hummingbirds... lined along a fence or strung between trees.
Subtle Ideas:
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Nestle a Swallow in the branches of a tree where it’ll catch shadows at dusk.
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Place a Hummingbird near a flowering plant that the real birds love.
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Tuck a Fantail silhouette into a low bush, so it surprises you when you spot it from the kitchen window.
Local Materials, Local Feel
We cut all our birds from Corten steel, and we source it locally wherever we can.
That means:
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NZ and Australian steel for NZ and Aussie customers
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US-made steel for American birds
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UK and European steel for those regions too
Why does that matter?
Because it keeps the whole project grounded in place. Your bird isn’t just some mass-produced thing that flew halfway around the world to get to you. It’s part of your region, just like the plants and wildlife in your backyard.
When the steel ages, it forms a protective patina. The rain, the sun, the frost... it all leaves a mark. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Beyond the Backyard
You don’t have to stop at your own fence line.
We’ve seen people take the backyard-to-life idea into:
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Community gardens
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School veggie patches
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Public parks and shared spaces
These little installations spark curiosity and connection. They remind people to look closer, listen harder, and notice the life around them.
The Seasons Tell the Story
Part of bringing your backyard to life is letting it change.
We don’t believe in sterile, perfect gardens where nothing moves. We believe in seasons doing their thing.
In spring, your plants bloom. In summer, the birds come in droves. In autumn, leaves fall. In winter, the garden rests... and the Metalbird stands quietly, gaining its patina, waiting for life to return.
Tips for Getting Started
If you’re keen to bring your backyard to life but don’t know where to start, here’s a quick guide:
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Pick Your Bird
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Choose Native Plants
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Create Layers
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Leave Room for Wildness
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Install Your Bird With Purpose
Why It Matters
At the end of the day, bringing the backyard to life isn’t about trends or tidy Instagram photos.
It’s about connection. To nature. To place. To memory.
It’s about building a space that holds meaning, changes with time, and makes you stop for a minute and just watch.
That’s why we do what we do at Metalbird.
Not just to make art, but to make art that belongs to the land it stands in.
Ready to Bring Your Backyard to Life?
Choose your bird. Plant your plants. Stand back and watch the garden wake up.
Find your bird here.
Suggested Image:
A backyard garden scene with a Metalbird Tūī or Swallow in the foreground, surrounded by native plants. Real birds blurred in the background. Early morning light, soft and natural.