Now that my blog is one month old, it seems like a good time to post The Traditional Flapping Bird. This is a great origami model to fold with children and one that holds a very special place for me. It was how I got started with origami in the first place!
It is very similar to the Crane but simpler. The tail, neck and head are all slightly thicker and the wings aren’t angled outwards. The Flapping Bird sacrifices some of the elegance of that model in favour of the action that makes the wings flap.
It’s a very simple model, taking about five to ten minutes. It’s not many steps more than a bird base. Just about any paper will do, although I’d avoid really thin stuff like tissue paper as this will probably rip quite easily. Kami or ordinary printer paper works well. If you’re making it with a group of children, then newspaper, or the pages of an old magazine are also good, inexpensive choices.
This model is also used in my post – An Origami Story.
Time to fold: Five to ten minutes
Difficulty: Simple
Paper: Avoid really thin papers. Kami or printer paper recommended
Origami Flapping Bird Diagrams
| Step | Diagram |
|---|---|
| 1. Start with a Bird Base. Instructions here |  |
| 2. Fold the bottom left flap back up along the outside edge so it points out at an angle, Unfold |  |
| 3. Inside reverse-fold the bottom left flap up along the crease made in the previous step |  |
| 4. Fold the bottom right flap up and unfold, just as you did previously on the left |  |
| 5. Reverse fold the bottom right flap up |  |
| 6. Fold the head down at an angle of your choice, There are no reference points for this – whatever you think looks good |  |
| 7. Reverse fold the head down |  |
| You have completed the flapping bird |  |
To make the bird flap:
Hold at the base of the neck with one hand.
Hold the tail in the other hand. Pull backwards and forwards away from the model to make the wings flap.
Note: You may have to wiggle the wings up and down a few times before you start to get a good flapping motion.
Get Involved
I’d love to hear your views on this origami flapping bird or any other beginner origami models. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments below, or you find can me on Instagram or Twitter. Check out my Pinterest boards too!
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