How to Make an Origami Flapping Bird

An origami flapping bird is similar to other origami folded paper birds, however the main difference is that the flapping bird moves. Once the bird is folded, if you hold it under the beak and pull on the tail, the bird's wings will flap up and down. This is a complicated bird to fold and takes a basic knowledge of origami folds to complete successfully.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Take a square piece of origami paper and begin by folding a square base. This is accomplished by creating two diagonal creases, which fold upwards, that go from corner to corner and a vertical crease in the center of the paper that folds downward. Collapse the piece of paper on the diagonal folds to form your square base.

2. Crease the paper by taking the side corners and folding and then unfolding them inwards and then folding the top triangle down. Move to the petal fold by opening the bottom corners and folding them along the creases you just created. Turn the paper over and crease the paper again and then repeating the petal fold.

3. Fold the lower legs down and under the diamond shape paper you have. This will create creases for the base of your bird. Finish the leg bases by doing a reverse fold on each leg.

4. Repeat another reverse fold to create the head of the bird. This will be the base which you just folded on the left side of the bird.

5. Make the wings. Fold the wings downwards at an angle slightly to the right. Do one wing at a time and ensure they're symmetrical.

6. Hold the tail with one hand and with your other hand hold the base under the neck of the bird. Pull on the tail and watch the wings flap.