How to Draw a Bird: Easy 20-Step Guide for Kids

Ready to bring a feathered friend to life? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5 and up. Grab a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to practice these foundational shapes that build coordination and artistic confidence.

20 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Head

Pencil sketch of a small circle representing the bird's head on white paper.

Draw a light circle for the bird's head. Tip: Keep it about the size of a coin and use a gentle touch so it's easy to erase later.

Step 2: Defining the Body

Adding an irregular teardrop-shaped body attached to the head circle.

Add an irregular shape to the right of the head using two curved lines that meet at a point. This creates the torso. Tip: Think of it like a teardrop shape.

Step 3: Forming the Tail

Drawing a fan-shaped tail extending from the back of the bird's body.

Extend two curved lines from the body point and connect them. This creates the tail. Tip: Make the tail look like a fan to give it movement.

Step 4: Sketching the First Wing

Adding a curved, S-shaped wing to the upper part of the bird's body.

Draw two wavy, S-shaped lines on the upper body to form a wing. Tip: Keep the lines fluid to make the wing look like it's ready for flight.

Step 5: Adding the Second Wing

Drawing a second wing visible near the head to create perspective.

Extend two more curved lines from the head area to form the second wing. Tip: This adds depth to your drawing, making the bird look 3D.

Step 6: Cleaning Up

Erasing unnecessary construction lines to reveal the clean outline of the bird.

Carefully erase the overlapping guide lines inside the wings and tail. Tip: Use a soft eraser to avoid smudging your work.

Step 7: Drawing the Beak

Adding a sharp, pointed beak to the front of the bird's head.

Add a beak using two curved lines that meet at a sharp point. Tip: Keep the beak small so it looks proportional to the head.

Step 8: Refining the Face

Erasing the guide line inside the beak for a clean look.

Erase the circle line inside the beak area. Tip: This makes the beak look like it is attached to the face.

Step 9: Adding Wing Feathers

Drawing U-shaped feather patterns on the wing.

Draw overlapping U-shaped lines along the bottom of the wing. Tip: Vary the size of the U's to make the feathers look natural.

Step 10: Cleaning the Wing

Erasing construction lines from the wing area.

Erase the guide lines inside the wing feathers. Tip: This step really makes your drawing look professional.

Step 11: Second Wing Feathers

Adding feather details to the second wing.

Repeat the U-shaped pattern on the second wing. Tip: Keep the feathers consistent with the first wing.

Step 12: Refining the Second Wing

Erasing guide lines from the second wing.

Erase the guide lines from the second wing. Tip: Take your time to ensure the edges are smooth.

Step 13: Tail Feathers

Drawing feather details on the bird's tail.

Add U-shaped lines to the end of the tail. Tip: These should be slightly larger than the wing feathers.

Step 14: Cleaning the Tail

Erasing construction lines from the tail area.

Erase the guide lines from the tail. Tip: Use a small eraser for precision.

Step 15: Adding Body Detail

Adding texture lines to the wings, body, and tail.

Add more U-shaped lines to the wings and curved lines to the torso and tail. Tip: Don't make them too uniform; nature is messy!

Step 16: The Eye and Nostril

Drawing the eye and a small nostril on the beak.

Draw a circle for the eye and a small dot for the nostril. Tip: Place the eye slightly above the center of the head.

Step 17: Eye Detail

Adding eyelashes and shading the eye for a realistic look.

Add eyelashes and shade the pupil. Tip: Leave a tiny white spot in the pupil to make the eye look shiny and alive.

Step 18: First Leg

Drawing the first leg and toes with feather details.

Draw a small ruff of feathers and a leg with teardrop-shaped toes. Tip: Keep the toes pointed to show the bird is perched.

Step 19: Second Leg

Adding the second leg to the bird's body.

Add the second leg using similar teardrop shapes. Tip: Place it slightly behind the first leg to show depth.

Step 20: Final Touches

Color your bird! Use bright colors to make it pop. Tip: Try using different shades of the same color to add shadow and depth.