What age is this origami Flapping Bird for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 14 steps, and takes about 15 minutes.

What paper do I need?

One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “はばたく鳥” (はばたく鳥). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.

Can I print the instructions?

Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.

★★★Medium Birds & BugsTraditional

How to make an origami Flapping Birdはばたく鳥Flapping Bird

A bird that flaps its wings when you pull its tail. It starts from the same bird base as the crane.

★★Easy Crane (Easy)★★★Crane (Medium)★★★Standing Crane (Medium)★★★Flying Crane (Medium)★★★Jumbo Newspaper Crane (Medium)★★★Crane Chopstick Rest (Medium)★★★Crane and Turtle (Medium)★★★★Crane with Spread Wings (Challenge)★★★★Dancing Crane (Challenge)★★★★Nesting Crane with Chick (Challenge)★★★★★Linked Cranes "Imoseyama" (Master)★★★★★Ring of Four Linked Cranes (Master)★★★★★Crane Family (Five Linked Cranes) (Master)

14 steps
about 15 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

三角に折る
Fold in half to make a triangle.
さらに半分の三角に折る
Fold in half again.
袋を開いて、四角につぶす
Open the pocket and squash it into a square.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも袋を開いて、四角につぶす（正方基本形）
Squash this side into a square, too. This is the preliminary base.
下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
上の三角を折って、折りすじをつける
Fold the top down and unfold.
1まいめを下から持ち上げて、ふちを折りすじで内側へ（花弁折り）
Lift the bottom corner of the top layer and fold the sides in along the creases (petal fold).
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも、下のふちをまん中に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
こちらも花弁折り（鶴の基本形）
Petal fold this side, too. This is the bird base.
左の足を、中わり折りでななめ上へ（首になる）
Inside reverse fold the left point up and out to make the neck.
右の足も、中わり折りでななめ上へ（しっぽになる）
Inside reverse fold the right point up and out to make the tail.
首の先を中わり折りして、頭をつくる
Inside reverse fold the tip of the neck to make the head.
できあがり！2まいの羽を左右に少しひらいて、ふんわり下へカーブさせたら、はばたく鳥のできあがり！
Finished! Spread the two wings a little and curve them down gently. Your flapping bird is ready!

How to play

首の下を持って、しっぽをやさしく引いたりもどしたりすると、羽がパタパタ動きます。

Hold the bottom of the neck and gently pull the tail back and forth. The wings flap!

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Flapping Bird for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 14 steps, and takes about 15 minutes.
What paper do I need?: One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “はばたく鳥” (はばたく鳥). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.
Can I print the instructions?: Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.