How to Make Origami Flapping Crane

Origami Flapping Bird Instructions and Diagrams

Pin Follow the steps below to make this Origami Flapping Bird.
Difficulty: Medium

The origami flapping bird resembles the popular crane that is the poster child of origami. However, this bird is different because it can actually flap on command, like a toy. If you hold it where you're supposed to and pull the tail correctly, you'll see this paper bird come alive. It's really cool to see it actually flap. I'm amazed each and every time.

You may think the origami flapping bird is hard to make, but it's actually easier than the crane. The most difficult part may be positioning the wings, and holding it right and pulling the tail correctly to make it flap. Don't worry, I'll teach you how to do it.

Step 1: Start with a square piece of origami paper. If you only have regular 8.5×11 paper,
follow these instructions to make a square sheet.
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Step 2: Fold the paper in half by taking the top corner and folding it over to the bottom corner.
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Step 3: Once again, fold the paper in half by taking the left corner and folding it to the right.
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Step 4: Take the top flap and open it, creasing the left and right sides so you can fold the the top corner to the bottom corner.

Step 5: Flip the paper over so we can do the same thing to the other side.
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Step 6: To do that, lift the left flap up so it stands vertically like the first picture in this step.

Open up the flap and crease the left and right sides so the top corner can meet the bottom corner.

Step 7: Fold the left and right corners from the bottom to meet at the middle.
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Step 8: Fold the top triangle down.
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Step 9: Now unfold the triangle back up along with the left and right flaps.
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Step 10: Take the bottom of the top layer and open it up all the way. Using the creases as guides, fold the left and right sides in to the center.

Step 11: Turn the figure over so we can do the same to the other side.
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Step 12: Fold the left and right corners in from the bottom to the center.
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Step 13: Unfold.
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Step 14: Open the top layer beginning at the bottom and lift it all the way up. Using the creases as guides, fold the left and right sides in to the center.

Step 15: Take the top layer from the right side and fold it over to the left.

Step 16: Turn the figure over so we can repeat the step on the other side.
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Step 17: Like before, fold the right flap over to the left and you should have this shape.
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Step 18: Take the bottom corner of the top layer and fold it up.
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Step 19: Turn the figure over.
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Step 20: Also fold this bottom flap up. Now we have a triangle shaped figure.
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Step 21: Take the two wedges inside and pull them out like you see in the picture.

After pulling them out, crease the base below so the wedges will stay in that position.

Step 22: Take the left wedge and open it slightly so you can bend a portion of it down to form the head.

Now do an inside reverse fold by pushing the center of the head down and creasing the left and right sides together. The head will now remain folded in that position.

Step 23: Here's the tricky part. Hold the chest of the bird including a little bit of the wing, and fold the rest of the wing down. You don't need a sharp fold here, just keep molding the wing until it stays down, but at the same time curved around your thumb at the front.

Basically, do what you see in the picture.
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