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Origami Flapping Bird

The origami flapping bird is another neat and fun action piece.  It looks a bit like the origami crane, and they both start with the bird base.

Made this origami? Comment and Submit your photo using the comment box at the end of this page!

However, they are different (the crane will not flap).  The crane is of ancient Japanese origin, but the origin of the flapping bird is uncertain. 

Start by folding the bird base

Origami Bird Base Video

bird base

Crease both lower "legs" of the bird base, in preparation for reverse folds

crease leg

both legs creased

The next two photos show what the reverse fold looks like after completion. 

We show the sequence in detail for the left "leg" of the bird base.

reverse fold

reverse fold close-up

starting reverse fold


Note how the folded leg is opened up, and the paper brought inwards and upwards.  

reverse fold in progress

more reverse fold

reverse fold almost done

Here is the piece with both reverse folds completed, below left.  Now re-do the reverse fold on the right, so that corner A is centered in the bird's tail.

Now do a reverse fold to make the head of the bird. 

reverse folds completed

reverse fold for tail re-done

origami flapping bird neck folded

Next start folding the wings downwards, one wing then the other. Then unfold the wings. 

1st wing of flapping bird folded

second wing of flapping bird folded

The bird is now complete. 

Hold the tail with one hand, and the spot below the front of the wings with the other hand. 

Move your hands back and forth rapidly (but gently, it's only paper!), this will cause the wings to flap. 

There's a video with instructions on this page .

Enjoy your flapping bird!

how to make the origami bird flap, part 1

how to make the origami bird flap, part 2

how to make the origami bird flap, part 3

The origami flapping bird was sighted in the movie "Con Air"!

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

Thanks to reader Goran from Skopje for submitting his origami flapping bird:

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From Jeff of West Hartford "My niece brought me some origami paper from Japan for Christmas. Your site is the best one I've found for instructions, and I'm making my way through it!"

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From Jessica in Winchester " This is my Flapping bird i made i love it i also love how it moves. "

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From A. in Gold Canyon:

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From reader in London " This is my blue flapping bird :) "

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From Lamya in Mangalore:

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From Kayla in San Antonio " This is my first flapping bird."

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From Padirg in Glasgow "Origami Flapping Birds."

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From Padirg in Glasgow "Origami Flapping Bird."

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From Caroline in Baton Rouge " Oragami flapping bird!(Its about the size of a journal.) "

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From reader in Vancouver " Submitting origami flapping bird ."

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From Shannon in Aiken "I love making the flapping bird! I showed this to my teacher and she said I could teach the class how to make one. WOOT! I also wanted to say that I love this website, have recomended to friends, and have used it myself for about two years. Thanks! "

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From Carlo in Subic " Flapping Bird (blue) Crane (Pink) "

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

From reader in Chandler " This is my origami flapping bird! "

Origami Flapping Bird at origami-instructions.com

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