We don’t usually do “limited editions.”
We’re not in the business of creating scarcity for the sake of it. We make birds for the world’s largest outdoor art project... not for collectors’ cabinets.
But sometimes, a bird deserves special attention.
Like the Pūteketeke.
When New Zealand voted it Bird of the Century, the whole country (and half the internet) suddenly remembered this weird, wonderful waterbird exists. David Attenborough called it “outrageous.” John Oliver campaigned for it. And at Metalbird, we decided to cut it in steel.
Not just because it’s cool.
But because it needs help.
Meet the Pūtuketeke
The Pūtuketeke (Australasian Crested Grebe, if you’re feeling formal) is a bird that looks like it got dressed for a black-tie gala and then forgot how to fly.
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Elegant neck
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Fluffy orange head frills
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A dance that involves synchronised head-waggling
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And parenting techniques that include carrying chicks around on their backs like a floating Uber
They’re quirky, iconic, and deeply endangered in New Zealand.
Why This Bird Matters
The Pūteketeke used to be everywhere.
But now? Habitat loss has pushed them to the edge. There are only a few hundred left in Aotearoa. Their nesting sites are threatened by boats, predators, and disappearing wetlands.
So when the Bird of the Century campaign went viral, it wasn’t just a joke... it was a chance to shine a spotlight on conservation.
And that’s exactly what we wanted to support.
A Bird With Purpose
When we designed the Metalbird Pūtuketeke, we decided it had to do more than just look good in your garden.
So we made it a cause-linked bird.
For every Pūtuketeke sold, we donate to conservation work that helps protect habitats and the birds that live there.
That means:
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Funding projects that restore wetlands
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Supporting groups that fight for native species
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Helping local conservation legends do the unglamorous work... trapping predators, building nesting rafts, planting native species along waterways
It’s not about token gestures. It’s about real, ongoing impact.
Limited Bird, Long-Term Thinking
We only made a limited number of Pūtuketeke silhouettes for a reason.
Not because we want to create hype, but because this is a moment-in-time bird.
It’s tied to the Bird of the Century win. To the cultural moment. To the conservation effort happening right now.
When you buy one, you’re not just getting a piece of art... you’re getting a piece of the story.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about one species.
It’s about how we think about birds, conservation, and art.
At Metalbird, we’ve always believed that art should give back. That’s why part of every sale goes to conservation partners worldwide.
But with the Pūtuketeke, it’s personal.
It’s a bird that represents the weird, the wonderful, and the endangered.
The parts of nature that don’t fit into neat boxes.
The parts we can’t afford to lose.
Where Your Money Goes
When you buy a Pūtuketeke, you help fund:
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Habitat restoration projects in New Zealand
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Predator control to protect nesting birds
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Community conservation groups who do the day-to-day mahi to keep birdlife thriving
We’ve partnered with groups who actually get out there and make a difference... not just talk about it.
Why Art Can Help Conservation
Some people ask, “What does a steel bird have to do with saving real birds?”
The answer is: awareness and action.
When you hammer a Pūtuketeke into your garden, it starts a conversation.
Someone will ask:
“What’s that?”
And you’ll say:
“It’s a Pūtuketeke. And it helps fund bird conservation.”
That’s how stories spread.
That’s how change happens.
Not Just a Pretty Bird
The Pūtuketeke isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
It’s about patinaing gracefully into your garden while real birds get the chance to keep flying, nesting, and doing weird dances on lakes.
That’s why we cut it from Corten steel... so it weathers with time, just like the work of conservation does.
It’s slow. It’s steady. It lasts.
Your Backyard Can Help Birds Fly
When you install a Metalbird, you’re part of something bigger.
You’re marking your garden, but you’re also funding conservation work that protects birds in the wild.
With the Pūtuketeke, that impact is direct and immediate.
Want to Be Part of It?
If you love birds... not just the popular ones, but the oddballs too... the Pūtuketeke is for you.
It’s a limited bird with a long-term purpose.
Add it to your backyard. Tell the story. Help the cause.
Because weird birds deserve to stick around.
Suggested Image:
A Metalbird Pūtuketeke installed by a lakeside, reflecting in the water. In the background: real wetlands, native plants, and maybe a flash of a real bird in the distance. Honest light, no filters. Just real life and real impact.