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How to Draw a Bird of Paradise
Draw a bird of paradise in 13 easy steps, about 10 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.
Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: the head.
Step 1: The head
Near the top left draw a big round head, a little wider than tall, with a tiny chin bump.
Tip Leave room on the right and below for the body, plumes and branch.
Step 2: Pointed beak
From the front of the head draw a pointed triangle beak, 2 fingers long, back to the head.
Step 3: One big eye
A finger behind the beak draw a big round eye with a big black dot and a shine.
Step 4: Plump body
Start on the back of the head. Curve down, round a fat belly, and up to stop under the beak.
Tip The body is a plump egg under the head, narrower than the head.
Step 5: Little tail
From the bird's bottom draw a short fan tail pointing down and back, with 2 short feather lines inside.
Step 6: Folded wing
Start under the back of the head. Draw a teardrop wing sweeping back to a point just above the tail.
Step 7: Fountain of plumes
From behind the wing draw 4 long plumes sweeping up and back like a fountain, with drooping pointed tips.
Tip Long golden plumes are the bird of paradise's signature.
Step 8: Front leg and toes
Start on the tummy's front. Draw a short leg down to 3 chubby curling toes, back up to the tummy.
Step 9: Back leg and toes
A thumb behind the first leg draw another leg and 3 toes the same way, tummy to tummy.
Tip Leave a gap between the 2 feet. Both sit at the same height.
Step 10: The branch
From the left edge draw a long branch, hopping over the toes, round the end and back to the edge.
Step 11: Yellow head and plumes
Colour the head and all 4 plumes yellow. Leave the eye white.
Step 12: Wood branch, green body
Colour the branch light brown. Colour the body green, but not the wing or the tail.
Step 13: Grey legs, brown wing
Colour the legs and toes grey, the wing and little tail brown, and the beak black.
Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a bird of paradise, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
