Let’s be honest… art gets a bad rap sometimes.
People think it’s all gallery openings and overpriced sculptures no one understands. The kind of thing rich folks put in their foyers so they can say, “Oh, that piece? It’s very conceptual.”
But art doesn’t have to be about ego or exclusivity. Sometimes, art can do real, tangible good. It can change the way we see the world...and even help fix it.
That’s why, at Metalbird, we don’t just make birds for backyards. We make birds that support conservation, communities, and causes that matter.
Because what’s the point of creating something beautiful if it doesn’t help the place it comes from?
Art That Gives Back
When I first started cutting birds out of steel, it was just a creative itch. A bit of public art mischief. But as the project grew, it became clear:
People wanted their Metalbirds to mean something.
Not just “nice thing in the garden,” but “this bird stands for something bigger.”
So we decided to bake that into the DNA of what we do. When you buy a Metalbird, you’re not just adding to your backyard. You’re funding conservation, supporting local habitats, and protecting real birds in the wild.
Where the Money Goes
We’ve partnered with a bunch of organisations who are out there on the front lines... saving species, protecting forests, keeping birds flying free.
A few of the causes we’ve supported:
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BirdLife International – Global conservation legends working to protect endangered species and habitats.
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Forest & Bird NZ – Defenders of New Zealand’s native flora and fauna, battling for the birds we cut from steel.
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WIRES (Australia) – Helping rescue and rehabilitate wildlife affected by bushfires, drought, and habitat loss.
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American Bird Conservancy – Fighting to stop bird extinction across the Americas.
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Trees That Count (NZ) – Planting native trees to restore habitats for our feathered mates.
Every time you hammer a Metalbird into the garden, a chunk of that sale goes to keeping actual birds alive and thriving.
Why Birds?
Birds don’t need explaining. They’ve always meant more than just feathers and flight.
They’re symbols of freedom, connection, and resilience. They cross borders without passports. They sing whether we’re listening or not. And in many cultures, they’re messengers between this world and the next.
But here’s the kicker:
Birds are also under threat.
Climate change. Habitat destruction. Plastic in the oceans. Cats on the loose. Windows they don’t see until it’s too late.
We lose thousands of birds every day to things humans caused.
So if we’re going to cut them out of steel and stick them in gardens, it makes sense to give back to the real ones, too.
Creativity Meets Conservation
Art and conservation might seem like strange bedfellows. But they’re both about paying attention.
Art says: “Look at this. Notice it. Don’t take it for granted.”
Conservation says: “Look after this. Protect it. Don’t let it disappear.”
When you put the two together, you get something powerful.
A bird in the garden is a daily reminder that the world is bigger than your to-do list. It’s a prompt to ask: “When was the last time I looked up?”
And maybe, just maybe, it nudges you to care more about the birds outside your window... not just the one gaining its protective patina on the fence.
Not Just Talk
We know there’s a lot of greenwashing out there. Companies slap a tree logo on the box and call it “eco.”
We don’t do that.
We keep our giving transparent, and we choose partners who are actually doing the mahi. Not just talking about saving birds... but getting out there and saving them.
From predator control programs in New Zealand to bird-safe city initiatives in the US, our donations are helping protect habitats and fund frontline work.
Is it enough to save the planet? Of course not.
But it’s a start... and it’s better than doing nothing.
How Customers Make It Happen
Here’s the best part: you’re part of this project.
Every time you buy a Metalbird, you’re funding conservation work. It’s baked into the price... not added as an afterthought.
You don’t have to tick a “donate $2 at checkout” box. You don’t have to sign a petition or attend a rally (unless you want to).
You just install your bird, sit back, and know that while it develops its patina and becomes part of the landscape, there’s a little bird somewhere in the wild who gets to keep flying because of it.
It’s About More Than Gardens
We like to think of our birds as art with purpose.
They mark life’s moments. They make backyards beautiful. They spark conversations. And behind the scenes, they help fund work that keeps the skies full of real wings.
That’s what gets us out of bed in the morning.
Not just cutting steel, but building something bigger... a global art project that doubles as a conservation effort.
It’s art that disrupts the usual pattern. Art that doesn’t just sit pretty but gets stuck in and does some good.
Want to Join the Movement?
If you’re ready to add your own bird to the world’s biggest outdoor art project... and help protect real birds while you’re at it... find your bird here.
Art doesn’t have to sit on a shelf. It can stand for something.