White-Headed Vulture

Name: White-Headed Vulture
Brand: Metalbird New Zealand
SKU: NZ-LAR-VULT
Price: 99.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

$99.99

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Description

Finally, the vulture gets the spotlight it deserves.
For centuries, vultures have been maligned — but in truth, these incredible birds are nature’s clean-up crew. As striking as they are misunderstood, the White-Headed Vulture is a critical part of its ecosystem, preventing disease, breaking down waste, and rocking a powerful presence while doing it.

Our vulture silhouette pays tribute to this essential — and endangered — bird of prey. Featured in our collaboration with Auckland Zoo’s African Safari Track (go check it out!), now you can bring one home too. Whether you’re gifting to someone bold and misunderstood or simply adding character to your garden, this bird has serious presence.

Our White-Headed Vulture is:

✓ Bold & unapologetic – 37cm high × 32cm wide, approx. 700g
✓ Easy to post – ships flat in our extra-large packaging
✓ Fast to fly – same-day dispatch on weekday orders before 2pm
✓ Made in NZ – produced in a local, family-run workshop
✓ Built for the outdoors – made from 3mm Corten® steel
✓ Endures the elements – patinas over time for a weathered finish

Like a true scavenger, it’s happiest perched with purpose.

1. Find a sturdy wooden post, tree, or beam — somewhere with a good silhouette view.
2. Hold at a slight downward angle for strength and a natural perch effect.
3. Tap the thickest end of the stake gently with a hammer or mallet until firmly in place.
4. Give it a wobble test to make sure it’s secure — vultures hate instability.
5. Step back and admire the noble beauty of nature’s most underappreciated hero.

Top Tip: If you're installing into very hard wood or timber, pre-drill a pilot hole to make tapping in smoother.

Why are vultures so important to the ecosystem?
They’re the world’s clean-up crew — breaking down carcasses, preventing disease, and keeping nature balanced.

Is this the same sculpture as the one at Auckland Zoo?
Yes! This is the exact vulture silhouette featured in their African Safari Track exhibit — now available for your own garden.

What kind of gift occasion suits this?
Perfect for someone unique, overlooked, or bold — a rare bird who deserves more love. Also great for bird lovers and conservationists.

Do vultures really go bald to stay clean?
Exactly. Their bald heads are a smart evolutionary trait that helps them stay hygienic while feeding — very clever birds!

Will it last outdoors?
Absolutely. Made from weathering steel, it develops a protective rust-like patina that only looks better with age.

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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.