Ostrich

The ostrich is the tallest and heaviest bird on Earth, and its famously long neck gives it one of the most comical silhouettes in the animal kingdom — which makes it a joy to fold. This little model captures that goofy charm with just a handful of folds: a long neck, a small head, and a body that stands up on its own. It's a great first bird if you've never folded animals before, and it takes only a few minutes from a single square of paper. Whether you're building an origami zoo with your kids or just want a quick desk buddy, this ostrich is a satisfying little project to try.

These instructions will show you how to make an easy origami ostrich. If you’ve never folded anything before, we recommend taking a moment to check out our beginner’s guide, which covers all the basic folds and techniques.

Step 1: Fold the paper in half, then unfold it.

Step 2: Fold both sides into the centre along the dotted line.

Step 3: Fold the top layers of paper out along the dotted lines.

Step 4: Fold the paper in half behind the model.

Step 5: Make an outside reverse fold along the dotted line.

Step 6: Make an inside reverse fold along the dotted line.

Step 7: Rotate the model about 90 degrees.

Step 8: Make an outside reverse fold along the dotted line to form the head.

The complete ostrich