Bird base

The bird base is a traditional starting shape made by petal folding both sides of a preliminary base, giving a long diamond with two narrow flaps at the top and two split flaps at the bottom.

Begin with a preliminary base, open end toward you. Fold the lower edges of the top layer to the center, fold the top triangle down, and unfold all three to leave guide creases. Petal fold the front, turn over, and repeat on the back. The four long points can then be shaped into necks, tails, legs or wings.

Uneven petal folds are the main problem: if one side is taller than the other, the finished model will lean. Check that each diamond is symmetrical before moving on. The bird base is the foundation of the Paper Crane and many other traditional birds.

How to fold a bird base, step by step

1
Fold a preliminary base and place it with the open end toward you.
2
Fold the lower edges of the top layer in to the center line.
3
Fold the top triangle down over them, crease firmly, and unfold all three folds.
4
Petal fold the front: lift the bottom corner of the top layer and let the sides fold in along their creases.
5
Turn the model over.
6
Repeat the same creases and petal fold on the back.
7
Check the result: a long diamond with two narrow flaps at the top and two split flaps at the bottom.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

The diamond leans to one side
One petal fold is uneven. Compare the two halves before flattening and adjust the sides so they meet exactly on the center line.
The base is thick and puffy
Every crease must be sharp. Press each layer flat right after its fold rather than at the end.
You lose track of which side you are on
After turning over, the back should look exactly like the front did before its petal fold. If it doesn’t, turn the model back and check.

When you’ll use it

The bird base is where traditional origami opens up. Its four long points can become necks, tails, wings and legs, which is why the crane, the flapping bird and many other classic birds start from it. After the crane, a good next model from the same base is the flapping bird, whose wings move when you pull its tail. Many folders who design their own models begin by asking what can be done with each flap of a bird base. If the base comes out uneven, do not move on: a lopsided bird base gives a lopsided crane, and folding a fresh square is quicker than fixing it later.

Practice it on these models

Advanced15 min · 19 steps

Paper Crane

The origami crane is the traditional Japanese orizuru, a bird with spread wings folded from a single square without cuts or glue. It is an advanced model: expect about 15 minutes for your first one, mostly spent learning the petal fold and inside reverse fold.

Bird base: questions

What can you make from a bird base?+

The traditional crane, the flapping bird and many other birds. The four long points become necks, tails, legs or wings. Our Paper Crane is the classic example.

Is the bird base hard for beginners?+

It is the first real challenge in origami because it combines a collapse and two petal folds. Practice the petal fold on a large square first, and the bird base will follow.