Easy Origami Birds And The Christmas Bird Count

Did you know that a popular holiday tradition in North and South America is the Christmas Bird Count?

For more than 100 years, people have gathered together around Christmastime to collect data on bird populations in different locations.

Each Christmas Bird Count is conducted on a single day between December 14 and January 5 (visit birdstudiescanada.org to find kid-friendly Christmas Bird Count activities near you).

At Rouge National Urban Park where I work, we are doing our 13th Annual Winter Bird Count. Thousands of birds call the Rouge home during the winter months—we want to know who’s around. Volunteers, along with brilliant bird experts, venture out to forests, meadows and wetlands in the park to count all birds seen and heard.

Inspired by this holiday tradition, why not make some origami birds with your kids? You could easily use leftover wrapping paper for this activity.

You also can use this Club Parka activity to let your kids know about the Christmas Bird Count tradition. Ready to fold? Let’s go!

You Will Need:

• ruler
• scissors
• pencil
• wrapping paper leftovers (when possible, use thicker paper)

Instructions:

This origami bird is inspired by a Fumiaki Shingu model.

1. Cut the leftover wrapping paper into a square (the best size is between 7” x 7” and 10” x 10”). Put all other materials aside, keeping only your square piece of paper.

2. Fold the paper in half to obtain a triangle. Unfold. 

3. Fold it in half the other way (vertically) to obtain a triangle. Place the triangle in front of you, so it points towards the left. 

4. Bring the tip of the triangle towards the right, fold approximately 1” from the edge. 

5. Pull the upper tip of the triangle out to the left, fold approximately ½” from the left edge to form a square. 

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6. You should see a mark in the middle of your design. Use that mark to fold in two, top to bottom. 

7. To form the wings, fold each pointed tip upward on its respective side. 

8. Optional: To form the beak, reverse the tip down between the two sides.

9. Turn around, open slightly and stand the bird on its belly.

Did You Know?

Some birds hide in evergreens to stay safe from the wind. Place your bird in your Christmas tree so it feels at home!

The next time you head outside for a family winter activity, whether you’re visiting a park or walking through your neighborhood, ask your kids to look and listen for the birds around them.

Are they white? Grey? Small? Big? They might make discoveries! Any new birds that you've never seen before?

Diana Smyth is a heritage presenter at Rouge National Urban Park.