A garden can be a lot of things. A place to sit with a coffee. A spot to let the dog run wild. A patch of dirt where you try (and fail) to grow tomatoes.
But what if it could be a bird sanctuary, too?
Why We Love the Combo: Birds + Native Plants
At Metalbird, we love the rusted silhouettes in backyards. But what we love even more is when people pair them with real birds and real habitats.
Because steel birds are great. But live birds? Even better.
That’s why we’re big on eco-styling. It’s not about manicured lawns or perfect garden borders. It’s about:
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Planting for the planet
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Inviting real birdlife into your space
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Making art and nature work together
The Power of Native Plants
Native plants aren’t just pretty. They’re essential.
Birds evolved alongside them, which means:
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The flowers feed native nectar eaters
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The berries feed native fruit lovers
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The trees and shrubs provide shelter, nesting spots, and safety
What Happens When You Plant Natives
Simple: The birds come back.
We’ve seen it happen over and over. You plant the right plants, and suddenly:
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The Tūīs turn up
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The Fantails start flitting
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The native bees arrive too (bonus!)
It’s like rewilding your own backyard, one plant at a time.
How to Eco-Style Your Space
Here’s how to make your garden work for both steel birds and real ones.
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Pick Your Native Heroes
Choose plants that:
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Feed birds
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Provide cover
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Work well in your climate
Some examples:
New Zealand
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Kōwhai (nectar for Tūī and Bellbirds)
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Mānuka and Kānuka (insects for Fantails)
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Flax (Tūī love this one too)
Australia
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Bottlebrush (nectar for Lorikeets and Honeyeaters)
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Grevillea (nectar and shelter)
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Eucalyptus (food and nesting)
US & Canada
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Milkweed (great for birds and butterflies)
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Serviceberry (berries for native songbirds)
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Oak (supports hundreds of insect species = bird food)
UK & Europe
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Hawthorn (berries for winter birds)
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Rowan (fruit and shelter)
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Native hedgerows (nesting and protection)
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Place Your Metalbird in the Mix
Install your Metalbird where it:
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Catches the light
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Creates contrast with the plants
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Feels like part of the scene... not just decoration
Let it blend into the wildness.
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Add Water
Birds need water for:
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Drinking
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Bathing
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Cooling off
Even a simple dish or shallow bowl helps. Place it near your plants and your Metalbird to create a full bird-friendly scene.
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Ditch the Chemicals
Pesticides and herbicides kill:
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Bugs
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Birds’ food sources
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Soil health
Go natural. Let the ecosystem do its thing.
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Let It Get a Bit Messy
Real bird habitats aren’t tidy. Leave:
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Leaf litter
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Dead branches (perfect for perches)
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Dense shrubs for nesting
Your Metalbird will look even better in a space that feels alive.
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Why This Matters
We’re not just here to make steel birds. We’re here to help keep real birds in the sky.
That’s why every Metalbird sold supports conservation projects. But you can do even more by turning your garden into a habitat, not just a hobby.
Real Stories from Eco-Styled Gardens
"More birds than ever before."
"Since we planted natives and put up a Metalbird Kingfisher, the real Kingfishers have come back. It’s like the garden woke up." – Sam, Auckland
"Balcony bird sanctuary."
"We don’t have a yard, but we’ve filled the balcony with native plants. The Fantail silhouette is up, and real birds come by for a look. It feels like connection, not just decoration." – Lucy, Melbourne
"From art to action."
"We started with a Metalbird Cardinal. Now we’ve got a backyard full of native plants and a bird bath. It’s not just about the art anymore... it’s about giving back." – Mike, Portland
The Joy of Rust in the Garden
As your Metalbird rusts, your garden grows. It’s a beautiful reminder that:
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Change is natural
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Growth is good
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Birds and people thrive when you make space for life to happen
Ready to Eco-Style Your Space?
Start simple.
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Pick a bird
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Pick a plant
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Pick a spot
Then watch what happens.
Find your bird here. Explore our conservation collection here.
Let’s build backyards that actually help the birds we love.
Suggested Image:
A real-life garden scene: a Metalbird silhouette nestled among native plants, with real birds visiting. Bonus if there’s a water dish or messy corner with leaf litter. Keep it real... no over-staged perfection.