Origami Coach

Flapping bird

A traditional action model built from a bird base. Gentle movement matters more than sharp final shaping: leave the wing hinges flexible.

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Before you begin

1 sheet · Square paper

20 × 20 cm

No scissors needed

This lesson is being checked for folding accuracy. It has not yet passed a physical fold-through review.

Step-by-step instructions

Read through the fold before you begin, or open any step in the folding viewer.

  1. After step 1: A larger square makes the small folds easier.

    Prepare a square

    Place the colored side down.

    Look for: A larger square makes the small folds easier.

    See this fold
  2. After step 2: Two diagonals cross at the center.

    Make diagonal guides

    Fold and unfold both diagonals.

    Look for: Two diagonals cross at the center.

    See this fold
  3. After step 3: Opposing crease directions prepare a collapse.

    Make center guides

    Turn over. Fold and unfold horizontally and vertically.

    Look for: Opposing crease directions prepare a collapse.

    See this fold
  4. After step 4: Two flaps lie on either side of the center.

    Collapse the square base

    Bring three corners to the fourth and flatten into a layered diamond. Keep its open points downward.

    Look for: Two flaps lie on either side of the center.

    See this fold
  5. After step 5: A kite-shaped guide is visible.

    Guide the first petal

    Fold the two lower front edges to the center. Fold the top triangle down, then reopen these three folds.

    Look for: A kite-shaped guide is visible.

    See this fold
  6. After step 6: The front point now reaches above the model.

    Lift the first petal

    Lift the front bottom point upward. Bring its edges inward and flatten into a long diamond.

    Look for: The front point now reaches above the model.

    See this fold
  7. After step 7: You have a bird base with two narrow lower points.

    Repeat behind

    Turn over and repeat the guiding and petal folds.

    Look for: You have a bird base with two narrow lower points.

    See this fold
  8. After step 8: The neck is held between layers.

    Raise the first point

    Precrease the left lower point upward and unfold. Open its paired layers, reverse the crease inside, and close them to form the neck. The animation opens the layers wide to make the reversal visible.

    Look for: The neck is held between layers.

    See this fold
  9. After step 9: The neck and tail are on opposite sides.

    Raise the second point

    Precrease and inside-reverse-fold the right lower point upward to form the tail.

    Look for: The neck and tail are on opposite sides.

    See this fold
  10. After step 10: A little beak distinguishes the neck from the tail.

    Fold the head

    Gently reopen the neck’s paired layers. Reverse a small section of its tip downward inside them, then close the neck again.

    Look for: A little beak distinguishes the neck from the tail.

    See this fold
  11. After step 11: Both wings can move freely.

    Fold the wings down

    Fold each broad wing down along a line just above the body. Flex the creases lightly.

    Look for: Both wings can move freely.

    See this fold
  12. After step 12: The wings move as the tail is eased back and forth.

    Try a gentle flap

    Hold the body just below the neck with one hand. With the other, gently draw the tail backward and release. The animation demonstrates the resulting wing movement; the paper body should remain flexible in your hands.

    Look for: The wings move as the tail is eased back and forth.

    See this fold