How to Join the Art Project

Oct 20, 2025

When you install a Metalbird, you’re not just adding art to your backyard. You’re joining the world’s largest outdoor art project. That might sound like marketing spin. It’s not. It’s real. And you can see it happening in real time... on our global bird map.

Here’s how to be part of it.

What’s the Global Bird Map?

It’s simple. Every time someone hammers a Metalbird into the ground, we invite them to pin their bird on our online map. The result? A living, growing, worldwide gallery of:

  • Balconies in New York

  • Fences in Christchurch

  • Gardens in Melbourne

  • Backyards in London

  • Beaches in California

  • Vineyards in France

All connected by small pieces of patinaed steel, shared stories, and the simple joy of marking a moment.

Why We Made It

When we first started Metalbird, we thought it would be a New Zealand thing. A backyard art project for people who love birds, love nature, and love the idea of making their everyday spaces more meaningful. We never expected it to go global.

But here we are... millions of birds later, in dozens of countries, creating a worldwide network of tiny, beautiful installations.

The Power of the Pin

When you add your bird to the map, you’re not just dropping a dot. You’re saying:

  • "Here’s my place."

  • "Here’s where my bird lives now."

  • "I’m part of something bigger than my own fence post."

It’s a way to:

  • Share your story

  • See who else is out there

  • Create a global flock of art and memory

How to Do It

Here’s the step-by-step:

  1. 1. Install Your Bird

    Pick your spot. Hammer it in. Step back and smile. That’s the first (and most important) part.

  2. 2. Take a Photo

    It doesn’t have to be fancy.

    • Snap a pic on your phone.

    • Catch the bird in the light.

    • Include the landscape if you want... or just focus on the silhouette.

    Real is better than perfect.

  3. 3. Go to the Map

    Head to our global bird map here.

  4. 4. Add Your Pin

    Drop a pin where your bird is... roughly is fine. (We don’t need your exact GPS coordinates unless you want to.)

  5. 5. Share Your Story

    Tell us:

    • Why you chose that bird

    • What the moment meant

    • Anything else you want the world to know

    Some people write a single line. Some write paragraphs. Both are welcome.

  6. Upload Your Photo

    Add the photo you took. Again... no pressure for perfection. We love seeing:

    • Birds in the wild

    • Patina in progress

    • Shadows in morning light

    • Real life, not staged shots

What Happens Next

Your pin goes live on the map. Other people see it. They add their birds too. Suddenly, you’re part of a worldwide art installation... connected by patinaed steel and shared moments.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about tracking sales. It’s about:

  • Building a global flock

  • Creating shared meaning

  • Turning ordinary places into extraordinary ones

When you zoom out on the map, you can see it happening: A web of birds stretching across the world.

Real Stories from the Map

"It’s for Dad."

"We planted a Metalbird in our garden after Dad passed. Seeing other pins pop up made us feel like part of something, even in grief." – Jess, Auckland

"Backyard art, shared globally."

"I love knowing my little garden bird is part of a huge project. It’s just me and my balcony in Paris... but I’m connected to people I’ll never meet." – Luc, Paris

"A daily reminder to look up."

"I put my Hummingbird on the fence and added the pin to the map. Now I check back sometimes to see where the new birds are landing." – Sam, Toronto

It’s Not About Perfection

You don’t need:

  • A fancy camera

  • A landscape garden

  • A big occasion

You just need a bird and a moment.

Why We Keep Building the Map

Because it reminds us all that art belongs in the wild, not just in galleries.

This project is about:

  • Memory

  • Connection

  • Creativity that lives in the weather, not on a wall

Join the Flock

If you’ve already got a Metalbird, add your pin. If you haven’t yet... this is your sign.

Pick a bird. Pick a spot. Make it yours. Then join the global gallery.

Find your bird here. Add your bird to the map here.

Let’s keep the flock growing.

Suggested Image:

A screenshot of the global map zoomed out, with pins scattered worldwide. Overlay this with close-ups of a few bird installations from different countries... backyard fences, balconies, community gardens. Real people, real places, real art in the wild.