How to Fold an Origami Flapping Bird

Medium level, 20 steps. Traditional. Earliest record: La Nature no. 621, 1885.

The animated version shows each fold moving, one step per screen. This page shows every step at once.

All 20 steps

Step 1. Start white side up. Fold the top corner down to the bottom corner.
Step 2. Fold the left corner over to the right corner.
Step 3. Lift the top flap, open it, and squash it flat into a square.
Step 4. Turn the paper over.
Step 5. Squash this flap into a square to match.
Step 6. Fold the lower left edge of the top layer to the center line, then unfold.
Step 7. Fold the lower right edge to the center line, then unfold.
Step 8. Fold the top triangle down over them, then unfold.
Step 9. Lift the bottom corner of the top layer up along the crease. The sides fold in to meet at the center.
Step 10. Turn the paper over.
Step 11. Fold the lower edges to the center line, then unfold.
Step 12. Fold the other lower edge to the center line, then unfold.
Step 13. Fold the top triangle down, then unfold.
Step 14. Petal fold this side the same way.
Step 15. Inside reverse fold the left point up and out to make the neck.
Step 16. Inside reverse fold the right point up and out to make the tail.
Step 17. Inside reverse fold the tip of the neck down to make the head.
Step 18. Fold the front wing down along the body.
Step 19. Fold the back wing down behind.
Step 20. Lift both wings until they stand out from the body.
Done. Hold the base of the neck and pull the tail gently. The wings flap.