How to Draw an Ostrich: Easy 10-Step Guide for Kids

Ready to draw the world's largest bird? This tutorial is perfect for artists ages 5 and up. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to bring this funny, long-necked creature to life.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Colorful illustration of a cartoon ostrich standing in the grass.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Head

Close-up sketch of an ostrich head showing the beak and eye outline.

Start by drawing the ostrich's head using smooth, curved lines for the beak, eye, and brow. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the beak shape if it looks a bit lopsided.

Step 2: Adding the Long Neck

Drawing the long, curved neck of an ostrich with small feather tufts on the head.

Extend two long, graceful curved lines downward from the head to create the neck. Add two small lines at the top of the head for a few messy feathers. Tip: The longer you make these neck lines, the more 'ostrich-like' your bird will look!

Step 3: Creating the Feather Frill

Adding a wavy feather collar at the base of the ostrich neck.

Draw a series of connected, wavy lines around the base of the neck to show fluffy feathers. Start sketching the wing shape nearby. Tip: Use a 'bumpy' motion with your wrist to make the feathers look soft and textured.

Step 4: Defining the Body

Outlining the rounded body and tail of the ostrich.

Use one long, continuous curved line to outline the chest, belly, and tail area. Keep the line wavy to suggest the texture of feathers. Tip: Imagine you are drawing a large, rounded bean shape for the body.

Step 5: Adding Tail and Wing Details

Drawing layered U-shaped feathers on the tail and wing.

Draw long 'U' shaped lines to create the tail feathers and the wing. Tip: Vary the size of your 'U' shapes to make the feathers look natural and layered.

Step 6: Refining the Wing

Adding detail to the wing feathers with more U-shaped lines.

Add more 'U' shaped lines to the outer edge of the wing to give it volume. If you make a mistake, just erase it gently and try again! Tip: Don't worry about perfection; ostriches have messy, fluffy feathers.

Step 7: Sketching the Thigh

Drawing the thick, muscular thigh of the ostrich.

Draw a wavy line where the leg meets the body, then extend two curved lines downward to form the strong thigh. Tip: Ostriches are fast runners, so draw the thigh thick and sturdy.

Step 8: Drawing the Foot

Drawing the ostrich foot with toes and sharp claws.

Extend a curved line from the leg to form the lower leg and the first toe. Add more curved lines for the other toes and the sharp claw. Tip: Look closely at the claw shape—it's like a small, pointed triangle.

Step 9: Adding the Second Leg

Drawing the second leg and foot to complete the ostrich outline.

Draw the second leg behind the first one, using overlapping lines to show depth. Don't forget the sharp claws! Tip: Overlapping lines are a great way to make your drawing look 3D.

Step 10: Bringing it to Life with Color

Final colored ostrich drawing with black and white plumage.

Time to color! We used black and white for a classic male ostrich look. If you want to draw a female, try using shades of brown for a natural camouflage effect. Tip: Use light pressure with your crayons to blend colors smoothly.