Simple Origami Bird

Great models for beginner folders to practice with are simple origami birds. They introduce basic folds and bases, and are just as elegant as complex models once finished.

A simple bird base, swan and crane

When one thinks of origami, the traditional crane is likely the model that springs to mind; and for beginners, it's a fine model to work with. Though it's not exactly "simple," it is less demanding than some other bird models like the flamingo, owl, or complex pelican.

The oldest known book on origami (for amusement) is the Hiden Senbzuru Orikata. Published in 1797, the book illustrates how to fold a paper crane. Over 200 years old, the book is a testament to the ancient origins of the model. It also emphasizes the fact that learning how to fold a paper crane is a major first step in learning how to fold origami.

Though the origami crane isn't a simple origami bird, it is a perfect model to try: even for beginners. To fold the famous model, you’ll need to learn the:

• Preliminary base
• Petal fold
• Reverse fold
• Bird base (or crane base)

Indeed, one of the key lessons learned from folding a crane is how to fold a bird base. The bird base (pictured above) is important as it's used for other origami models, including the origami dragon. Once you learn it, you'll be ready to graduate to intermediate-complex diagrams.

Before attempting the origami crane, it might be best to start with a "simple model." These models, like the origami swan, use the most basic of folds, such as the valley fold and the mountain fold. With just these folds, you can make a lovely bird. The keys to any origami are:

• Clean folds
• Strong creases
• Defined lines

If your origami swan is flawless, it will look just as elegant -- if not more -- than an origami owl that’s been folded in the wrong direction. When learning origami, become familiar with reading diagrams and be sure to follow instructions exactly.

If the diagram says to unfold, be sure to unfold before moving on. If it says to make a crease, make a crease. If it says not to crease, don't. The one thing that can ruin any origami model is an unnecessary fold.

As said, simple birds can be very elegant. Examples include the origami swan, the simple pelican, and the standing bird. You might also try the twirling bird, which really is a series of folds upon folds.

• The swan: One of the simplest birds to make is the swan, which only takes 5-7 steps. It uses only the valley fold and the reverse fold and works from the simple kite base.
• The simple pelican: If you can fold the swan, you can also fold the simple pelican. The only real difference is the wings. The simple pelican (not to be confused with the complex pelican) only takes 8-9 steps.
• The twirling bird: The twirling bird is the simple version of the flapping crane. It only uses valley folds and takes only seven steps. The model looks like a paper plane, but is open to modifications (e.g. creating a tail with a reverse fold).
• The standing bird: Then there's the standing bird, which is a great model for duo origami paper. The head will be one color/pattern and the body, the reverse. This model uses valley folds, mountain folds and reverse folds. It looks more complicated than it is.

Simple origami is the perfect way to practice the fundamentals of origami folding. If you learn the basic folds and bases -- which simple origami relies on -- you can make the jump to more complicated models in no time. From simple origami birds, you can soon attempt a crane; and from the traditional crane, a dragon. From the dragon... who knows! Remember, practice makes perfect.

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