Origami: World of Birds

Origami is the ancient art of folding paper to create little sculptures of things, most commonly animals. There are butterflies, dogs, seals, and much, much, more, but the most popular and well known might be the birds, possibly due to the popularity of the crane. Today I will not only show you how to make the origami crane, but also the origami swan, crow, and flamingo. Best of all it requires barley any supplies. Now, let's get started.

- Origami paper preferably, but any piece of paper that is a square will do.

- Scissors (if you need to cut your paper into a square).

As I said, I would be showing how to make an origami crane, swan, crow, and flamingo. If you want to make one of these, pick one and then look at the list below and go to the listed steps for that bird. The swan is the easiest and the crane is a bit harder.

- Swan: Steps 2 - 5

- Crane: Steps 6 - 12

- Crow: Steps 13 - 15

- Flamingo: Steps 16 -

In origami, we sometimes do preparation folds. These folds create creases and make it easier do other folds later on. For the swan there is only one. Fold the paper diagonally in half and then unfold (see picture).

Now that we have finished the preparation folds, we can really get started. Rotate the piece of paper into a diamond position. Then fold the bottom edges of the diamond to the center crease that you created during the preparation fold. Now flip over the piece of paper and repeat the process. This will create the body and tail. (See pictures for assistance).

Now that we have created the body and tail, lets make the neck and head. To do this we fold the point at the bottom to the point at the top. This our neck. Next, we fold that same point we folded before, about half way down to the base of the neck we just made. This our head. (See pictures for clarity).

Right now you might be thinking, this doesn't look like a swan at all! But don't worry, after this step it will finally be looking like a swan. To make it look like a swan, fold the outermost edges down and the center up. Then, put it on it's side and lift the neck and head. Finally, adjust the angle of the head and neck to your liking. (See pictures for example).

Voila! Your finished. Prop the swan up right and keep it as desk decoration or punch a hole in it and attach some string to make an ornament. It's up to you, what you want to do with it! If you want to make another beautiful bird, go back to step one and pick a new bird to create.

Just like with the swan, there are preparation folds for the crane too. For these preparation folds, first fold the paper in half vertically & unfold and then fold the paper in half horizontally & unfold. (See pictures for visual step by step).

Yes, there are a few more preparation folds, but these are the last of them for now. First, flip the piece of paper over. Then fold the paper diagonally in both directions, then unfold. (Look at pictures for help).

Now that we have the preparation folds out of the way, we can start the actual folding. Flip over your piece of paper again and then fold the four corners of this square to the same point. This should be easy because of the previous folds. Once you have had the corners meet, flatten out the shape. (Use pictures for reference).

I know I said the preparation folds were out of the way but I promise these are the last of them. Take the two top edges on the first flap and fold them down to meet at the center crease. This will create an upside down kite. Then unfold. Repeat this same process on the other side too. (Use pictures as a guide).

This part can be a little hard but the previous fold should help. Take the flap and pull it down to create a thinner diamond. Make sure to make the sides that are created when you pull down the flap are folded to meet at the center crease. Do this same process on the backside. (Use pictures for clarity).

You should now have a thin diamond. you will notice that one end of the diamond is split into two parts. We want to actually make these parts even thinner. Bring the edges of these parts to the center crease. these will be made into the tail, neck, and head of the crane. (Check pictures for additional directions).

We can now create the final parts of the crane. First the neck and head. Bring the right split end up to create the neck. Next pick a section of the neck to bring and point downward. This will be the head. Do the same for the left end but don't create a head. This way, we have a tail. From here you can stop or you can bring the flaps down to create open wings. I personally think it looks better this way so I did it. (Look at the pictures for visual directions).

And that's it. Now admire the beauty of your Crane. Legend has it that if you fold 1000 of them, you will be granted a wish or you can give it as a gift to help an ill person get better. Are you up for the challenge! If you want to learn how to make another origami bird, go back to step one and pick a new bird to make.

The origami crow and the crane although different, actually have a lot in common when it comes to folding. In fact most of the origami crow's folds are the same as the crane's. For this reason, do the first 5 of the crane's steps, steps 6 - 10, and then come back here to finish making the crow. Once you have finished those steps move on to the step after this one.

Now that we have the body of the crow its time to flesh out its details. First, lets create its feet by folding the split ends of the diamond upward and outwards. Then, take the immediate first flap of the diamond and pull it all the way down to create the tail. Finally, take the remaining flap and fold down the tip of it to create the head.

To finish the crow, fold what you currently have in half. You will see that when this is done it has everything but the head. To fix this you need to get the head which is in the crack you just made by folding it in half. Once you pull it out, there's your crow! (See pictures for better directions).

Great job! You finished the crow. Now challenge your friends to see if they can make this. If you enjoyed making this origami there are many more tutorials on animals you can make. If you would like to make another magnificent bird, go to step one and pick another bird to make.

Just like how the crow and crane are a lot similar when it comes to folds, so are the flamingo and crane. Do all of the crane's steps, steps 6 - 12, but stop after you make the neck & head, and then come back here to finish the flamingo. Once you have completed the crane's steps, move onto the step after this one.

Make the remaining split end of the diamond even thinner by folding the outer edge to the center crease. Do this on both sides. Once you have done this, create a foot for the flamingo to stand on by folding the tip of the split end towards the flamingo's head. (See pictures for visuals).

Finally, finish the flamingo by creating wings for it. Bring the flaps of the diamond on both sides down and away from the flamingo's head. (See pictures for clarification).

Amazing! You finished the Flamingo. Now go back to step one if you want to make another bird.