Learn what Moonbirds NFT is, the unique digital owl collectibles. Learn what they are, how they work, and why collectors and investors are flocking to them
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Have you ever witnessed new cafes pop up with a long queue outside, and suddenly everyone wants to taste it? Even if you have no need for food, you probably feel a bit curious and want to know what the fuss is all about. That's the power of hype. When something gains popularity fast, we naturally want to be part of it. In the world of investing, that same curiosity often turns into action. We chase buzz and trends so as not to miss the next big shot. That’s exactly what has been happening with one of the most talked-about NFTs, Moonbirds NFTs.
After that huge launch in 2022, Moonbirds NFTs ruled the headlines and faded away with the market. But now, the Moonbirds seem to be making quite a comeback. This popular NFT collection is once again seeing strong demand and rising prices. What started as a quirky collection of pixelated owls quickly turned into one of the popular NFTs online.
But there is more to this comeback than just market hype. Moonbirds is about access, investment, and influence. Moonbirds serve as a very good example of how thoughtful NFT development, branding, and community building can lead to long-term success.
In this blog, we will explain what Moonbirds are, what made them special, why they are trending again in 2025, and most importantly, what lessons you as an NFT creator can take from them. Finally, we share good takeaways that can be incorporated into your NFT project. These insights can thus cater to helping you think better while planning either a new drop or a full-blown NFT platform for the long term.
Moonbirds is a collection of 10,000 unique pixel-art NFTs launched in April 2022. Each Moonbird is stored on the Ethereum blockchain, and just like other NFTs, each one is unique, tradable, and comes with proof of ownership.
Created by PROOF Collective, a famous Web3 media and community company, the project suddenly became one of the most talked-about drops in the NFT space. It managed to make $200 million in sales volume within just a few days, drawing attention from top collectors, influencers, and investors.
While they may look like simple owl avatars at first glance, Moonbirds introduced several powerful ideas that set them apart. They are more than just profile pictures (PFPs), which we will discuss later in this blog. During bear times, the project underwent ups and downs, but the strong foundation, clear branding, and continuous development are fueling its comeback today.
Quick Note: Moonbirds NFTs sold $200M in just a few days after their launch in April 2022.
What really sets Moonbirds apart from thousands of other NFT projects out there?
It is not just about the look of the collection. Moonbirds brought in some clever ideas, influence, and genuine community spirit that allowed them to stand out from a crowded and competitive space.
One of the smartest things Moonbirds did was introduce something called nesting. Think of it like staking, but made simple. If you nest your Moonbird, basically meaning locking it in your wallet without selling, you start earning rewards the longer you hold it. These perks could be anything from exclusive content to event invites or even future drops. It gave people a reason to hold, not just quick flips.
Owning a Moonbird is not just about having a cute owl on your profile. It is like a key to a private, high-value network of collectors, builders, and creators. Holders get access to the PROOF Collective community, which includes early access to new NFT projects, members-only spaces, and even Discord channels. In many ways, Moonbirds acted as premium digital memberships to an elite Web3 club.
Fun Fact: There are 10,000 unique Moonbirds, each with distinct traits and rarity.
While the pixelated owl design might look simple at first glance, the art really stood out due to its clean vectors and easily recognizable style. Each owl had a different set of traits and levels of rarity, encouraging people to collect and trade. But also, beyond this, the art was designed to be a PFP (Profile Picture), so it really went viral on Twitter and Discord.
While lots of NFT projects faded after the initial hype, Moonbirds kept building. The team had a very defined roadmap for Moonbirds, future drops were planned, and they focused on creator tools and community value. Even when the market was down, Moonbirds survived and now, in 2025, they are making waves again for all the right reasons.
Collector Tip: Nest your Moonbird in your wallet to earn rewards and reduce sell pressure.
If you thought Moonbirds had quietly flown off the radar, think again. Pixelated Owls is making a spectacular comeback in 2025, much to the delight of NFT creators and collectors around the globe. What is behind this resurgence? Let’s unpack the key reasons behind Moonbirds’ trending status today.
Data Knows the Truth: Moonbirds currently rank #8 with a floor price of 3.76 ETH ($16,088.58)
In May 2025, Yuga Labs, the big names behind Bored Ape Yacht Club, sold the Moonbirds IP to a company called Orange Cap Games. This wasn’t just a simple handoff. OCG is a startup focused on mixing gaming with NFTs, aiming to bring Moonbirds into exciting new worlds like video games and 3D metaverses.
This fresh leadership brought a burst of energy and new ideas, showing the community that Moonbirds were far from forgotten.
Moonbirds were already special because holders got more than art. They enjoyed exclusive access to events, communities, and “nesting” staking features.
Now, OCG plans to take this further by turning Moonbirds into playable 3D avatars and launching real-world merchandise. For NFT creators, this is a prime example of how adding layers of use can keep a project alive and thriving.
Numbers don’t lie. Right after Orange Cap Games took over, Moonbirds' sales skyrocketed.
Weekly sales volume jumped to over $2 million, which is more than a 2,500% increase compared to before.
Transaction amounts rose by about 877%, with over 1,000 sales in a single week.
Moonbirds climbed the ranks, even surpassing other popular collections like Pudgy Penguins and Bored Ape Yacht Club in weekly sales volume.
This surge showed the market’s excitement about Moonbirds’ new direction and sent a clear message that the collection was back in business.
If you’re an NFT creator, Moonbirds offers a masterclass in how to build not just hype, but sustainable value. Let’s break down exactly what you can take away from their success, and how to apply these lessons to your own NFT project.
Too often, NFT projects launch with just a slick design and hope that’s enough. Moonbirds shattered that myth. They understood early that art alone isn’t enough to keep people invested. So, what did they do differently?
They treated each Moonbird as a membership key, a gateway to exclusive perks, events, and future opportunities. Because in today’s crowded NFT market, buyers want more than just a cool image for their profile. If you offer holders some ongoing utility be it early project access or insider knowledge, it will create long-term demand.
One of Moonbirds’ smartest innovations was the nesting mechanic. In NFT markets, which have historically been dominated by flippers who buy for quick gains and sell fast, this mechanic encourages holders to stay invested and actively participate in the project’s ecosystem.
By rewarding loyalty in a straightforward way, Moonbirds reduced sell pressure and created a more stable, engaged community. So design your project with the best loyalty programs that are simple, easy to understand, and provide clear benefits for holding for long-term engagement.
A massive takeaway from Moonbirds is that a smaller, invigorated community is far more valuable than a huge yet nonexistent audience.
Instead of chasing vanity metrics like follower counts or hype numbers, the team sets out to cultivate a core group of loyal members committed to taking an active interest and offering support.
So, engage deeply with your earliest supporters first. This creates a very strong network effect because if your community believes in the project, other people want to get in on it.
In the pursuit of hype, it has never been the case with Moonbirds that they hopped onto some trend only to be off it the very next week. They stuck to a clear vision and consistently delivered on their roadmap. That kind of trust is everything in a market flooded with projects.
Have an achievable project roadmap and communicate this clearly and openly to your community. Most importantly, follow through on this roadmap-even when the market gets tough.
Finally, Moonbirds teaches us that the NFT drop is not the end. It is the beginning.
Many creators put all their energy into launch day and then ignore the project or lose momentum. Moonbirds flipped this approach on its head by treating the mint as the first step in an ongoing journey.
From continuous utility rollouts to community events and collaborations, keep your holders engaged for the long haul.
Who on earth expected a flock of pixelated owls to redefine an NFT project? Much less, who would have imagined them soaring nearly five years later? But here we are in 2025, watching them soar again, not because of luck but because of layered vision, community-first approach, and relentless innovation.
Moonbirds succeeded because they understood one truth early that NFTs are not just digital assets but ecosystems. If your NFT is just art on a blockchain, it’s disposable. But if it becomes identity, access, utility, and connection, then you are not just selling tokens, you are building culture.
If you are serious about crafting your own Moonbirds NFTs, don’t just chase hype. Approach a globally recognized NFT development company like Maticz that specializes in creating powerful, utility-driven, scalable NFT solutions across industries. Our team brings the technical firepower, blockchain innovation, and strategic insight to build everything from simple collectibles to big PFP collections and dynamic NFTs. Contact us today.
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