Metalbird Seconds - Fantail
Quick, curious, and deeply symbolic.
Meet the Fantail, or Pīwakawaka — one of New Zealand’s most beloved native birds. Known for its energetic fluttering, fanned tail, and playful nature, they dart and flick through the air, catching insects in your wake, sometimes just inches away. It’s hard to describe, but easy to feel: they make your presence feel seen.
Our Seconds Fantail still brings all the bold charm and unmistakable silhouette of the real thing — only with a tiny imperfection and a very friendly price tag. Maybe it’s a light scratch, a white splash, or an overzealous sanding pass — whatever the quirk, this bird will still look stunning once installed.
SECONDS ARE FINAL SALE AND NON-RETURNABLE. Imperfections may include surface scratches, over-sanding, white splashes, or color variation — but they’re cosmetic only and disappear into the shadows once your bird is in place.
✓ Rich in symbolism... Beloved in New Zealand & Māori culture as a guide or spirit messenger
✓ Made to move (visually)... Iconic fanned tail captured mid-flight
✓ Compact & striking... 7" high x 6" wide (excluding branch), approx. 8oz
✓ Weather-tough... Made from American 1/8-inch Corten® steel
✓ Easy to gift... Ships flat in an 11" x 8" x ¼" box
✓ Same-day dispatch... Weekday orders before 2pm ship out that day
✓ Made in the USA... Produced locally in a family-owned American factory
✓ Easy to install... Just tap it into a wooden surface and you’re done
Style With
Metalbird Seconds - Fantail
AS SEEN IN
Each Metalbird is crafted from Corten® Steel, a premium, weathering steel made to last.
When it meets the elements, it doesn’t rust like your old BBQ. It transforms.
That change you’re seeing? That’s patina. A tough, protective outer layer that seals the steel, adds character, and preserves your bird for decades.
This isn’t paint. It’s nature’s way of ageing gracefully.
The Patina Process:
At first, you’ll notice bright orange spots (we call this the teenage phase). Soon enough, the whole bird will turn a bold orange, slowly shifting into deep burnt umber. Eventually, it settles into a moody charcoal that feels like it’s always belonged.
The Result? A piece of industrial art with a heartbeat. No peeling, no fading, just a bird that gets better with age.