Birdsong is one of those things you don’t realise you’re missing until it’s gone.
You wake up one day and the dawn chorus is quieter.
The Tūī you used to see in the flax? Gone.
The Kookaburra on the back fence? Haven’t heard him in weeks.
The Swallows under the eaves? Now just empty air.
Bird populations around the world are dropping fast.
And it’s not just rare, exotic species. It’s the everyday birds... the ones we thought would always be there.
The Numbers Aren’t Good
According to BirdLife International:
-
1 in 8 bird species is at risk of extinction.
-
Over 3 billion birds have vanished from North America in the last 50 years.
-
In New Zealand, more than 80% of native birds are in trouble.
-
Australia has lost around 60% of its small woodland birds in some areas.
-
Europe is seeing massive declines in once-common species like Sparrows and Finches.
It’s not just sad. It’s serious.
Because when the birds go, so does the balance of ecosystems.
Why It’s Happening
Birds are disappearing because of:
-
Habitat loss – We’re paving over wetlands, chopping down forests, and turning wild spaces into subdivisions.
-
Predators – Introduced species like rats, cats, and stoats wreak havoc on native birdlife.
-
Climate change – It’s shifting food sources, migration patterns, and breeding seasons.
-
Pollution – Plastic, pesticides, and chemicals end up in nests, stomachs, and waterways.
-
Windows and buildings – In the US alone, around 1 billion birds die each year from flying into glass.
But There’s Good News
This isn’t a hopeless story.
Because when people get involved, birds come back.
We’ve seen it happen.
-
Wetlands restored? Birds return.
-
Native plants planted? Birds return.
-
Predators trapped? Birds return.
It’s not about saving the whole planet overnight.
It’s about thousands of small actions adding up to big change.
Why Birds Need You
Not governments. Not big conservation groups (though they help).
You.
In your garden. On your balcony. In your community.
Because birds don’t need grand gestures.
They need:
-
Safe places to nest
-
Trees and plants to feed from
-
Fewer threats
-
People who care enough to make small changes
What You Can Do (That Actually Helps)
-
Plant Natives
Birds evolved with native plants.
-
In New Zealand, that means Kōwhai, Flax, Mānuka.
-
In Australia, try Bottlebrush, Grevillea, and Gum.
-
In the US, think Milkweed, Oak, and native grasses.
-
In the UK, go for Hawthorn, Rowan, and native hedgerows.
Native plants feed native birds. Simple as that.
-
-
Ditch the Chemicals
Pesticides kill bugs, sure.
But they also kill off the food chain that birds rely on.
Let your garden be a bit messy. Let nature do its thing.
-
Make Windows Safer
If you’ve got big glass windows, consider adding:
-
Decals
-
Curtains
-
Or even just leaving the blinds partway down
Anything to stop birds from thinking your lounge is a fly-through.
-
-
Keep Cats Indoors (When You Can)
We love cats. We’re not monsters.
But even the laziest house cat can be a killing machine when it comes to birds.
If possible, keep cats indoors during dawn and dusk when birds are most active. Or try a "catio" (yes, that’s a thing).
-
Support Conservation
When you buy a Metalbird, part of your money goes to:
-
Restoring bird habitats
-
Funding predator control
-
Supporting wildlife rescue and rehab
-
Planting trees
We’ve partnered with groups like:
-
BirdLife International
-
Forest & Bird NZ
-
WIRES Australia
-
American Bird Conservancy
Because art should give something back.
-
-
Install a Metalbird
It’s a symbol. A conversation starter.
When someone sees the bird in your garden and asks about it, you get to say:
"It helps fund real bird conservation."
And that conversation ripples out.
Your bird will develop a protective patina that seals and protects the silhouette over time. It’s not just surface rust... it’s a finish that evolves with the seasons but never falls apart.
That patina becomes part of the story too.
Why We Care
At Metalbird, we don’t just cut steel shapes for fun.
We started this project because we love birds.
We love hearing them in the morning. We love watching them dart between trees. We love knowing they’re part of the landscape.
And we hate the idea of waking up one day to silence.
It’s Bigger Than Us
This isn’t about Metalbird.
It’s about creating a global flock of people who give a damn.
People who:
-
Plant trees
-
Protect habitats
-
Care about birds, not just because they’re pretty, but because they keep the world balanced.
Small Acts, Big Change
If you’ve ever thought:
"I’m just one person... what difference can I make?"
Here’s the truth:
One person makes a huge difference to one bird.
And when thousands of people make small changes?
That’s when species come back from the brink.
Want to Help?
Start small.
-
Plant something native.
-
Keep the cat in at dawn.
-
Put up a bird feeder or a bird bath.
-
Install a Metalbird and start a conversation.
Find your bird here.
Let’s make sure future generations wake up to birdsong, not silence.
Suggested Image:
A dawn shot of a real bird on a branch, with a rusted Metalbird silhouette in the background. Soft morning light, a sense of hope... not staged, just a moment caught in the wild.