Make an Origami Paper Parrot | Bush Heritage Australia Skip to main content

Simply download and print one of the instruction sheets below on a double-sided colour printer. Then cut out the printed shape and follow the steps below.

A Golden-shouldered Parrot poised for action. Photo Geoffrey Jones (BarraImaging.com.au).

Origami Parrot

The Golden-shouldered Parrot, or Alwal in Olkola language, is one of Australia’s most beautiful, precious birds.

Once found over most of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, it's now estimated there are only between 780 and 1,100 individuals left in the wild. Learn more about our partnership with the Olkola people that helps protect these parrots.

Portable Document File (PDF)Origami Parrot instruction sheet (900kb).

Carnaby

Origami Cockatoo

Carnarby's Cockatoos are big, noisy parrots that have been dubbed the rock stars of the bird world. They're icons in Western Australia, but scientists estimate the population has halved in the last 45 years. A special planting program in south-west Western Australia is helping endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoos to rebuild their numbers.

Portable Document File (PDF)Origami Black Cockatoo instruction sheet (900kb).

Instructions

Start with the paper facing back side up
Step 1. Start with the paper facing back side up – like this.

Fold the sheet in half to make a large triangle.
Step 2. Fold the sheet in half to make a large triangle, making a crease, then unfold.

With the paper square again, fold two sides inwards.
Step 3. With the paper square again, fold two sides in to meet the crease you’ve just made.

Now fold the top point of the kite backwards and down.
Step 4. Now fold the top point of the kite backwards and down to make a triangle again.

Take each top corner of the triangle, fold in to the centre.
Step 5. Take each top corner of the triangle, fold in to the centre to make a crease.

Unfold and pull the inside corners down and across.
Step 6. Unfold and pull the inside corners down and across, bringing the dotted corners to flatten.

Fold the flaps upwards along the top guideline.
Step 7. Fold the flaps upwards along the top guideline.

Now fold bottom corner and fold down again along the higher guideline.
Step 8. Now fold the bottom corner and fold down again along the higher guideline. This will be Alwal’s tail.

Fold Alwal in half as shown.
Step 9. Fold Alwal in half as shown.

Finished
Congratulations! You’ve finished making Alwal.