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.

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

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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!

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

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

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!"

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

From A. in Gold Canyon:

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

From Lamya in Mangalore:

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

From Padirg in Glasgow "Origami Flapping Birds."

From Padirg in Glasgow "Origami Flapping Bird."

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

From reader in Vancouver " Submitting origami flapping bird ."

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! "

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

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