There is a particular satisfaction in folding a bird from a single square: a few straight creases, one or two angle changes, and suddenly the paper has a neck and a beak. This waterfowl is one of the simpler bird models, and the finished shape has a long, curved neck that immediately reads as a swan or a duck.

It is only nine steps, but the head is formed from a narrow point, so the model is a bit fragile. Use a crisp sheet of paper and handle the neck gently, especially on the last fold where the beak is pulled out past the edge. Fold it slowly and the bird will hold its shape nicely.

Here is how to fold an origami “waterfowl” in an easy-to-understand way.

The finished model is a little fragile, so handle it gently when you are folding.

How to fold a waterfowl

STEP 1. Fold it in half and make a crease.

STEP 2. Fold it so that the edges are aligned with the creases.

STEP 3. Turn it over and fold the right corner slightly away from the left corner.

STEP 4. Fold it in half.

STEP 5. Fold it so that the corners are pulled up.

STEP 6. Make a crease along the dotted line.

STEP 7. Fold it over at the crease.

STEP 8. Fold the left corner inward too.

STEP 9. Fold the corner back and out so that it extends beyond the edge, and the waterfowl is complete.