How to Draw a Bird Step by Step - 20 Easy Steps!

In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn how to draw a bird step by step.

This bird easy drawing tutorial is great for artists of all skill levels who want to improve their drawing skills on how to draw a bird.

Even if you have never tried to draw birds before, this easy bird drawings tutorial will show you everything you need to know to create a realistic and endearing bird drawing. Drawing birds can be a fun and rewarding experience!

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll be able to create simple bird drawings that are both fun and easy.

Fun Fact: Did you know that birds have bones that are 65% lighter than human bones?

Flying birds are one of the most popular subjects when it comes to drawing and sketching but before you start drawing a bird, it’s important to understand the basic structure of the bird’s body.

Study different bird species so that you can better understand the anatomy and proportions of their bodies.

Pay close attention to the bird shapes and size of their beak, wings, tail, and legs. Also, try to observe their posture while they are perched or in flight.

Once you have a good understanding of the bird’s anatomy, use graphite pencils like 2B, 4B, or 6B to outline the bird on paper.

Let’s start!

What You’ll Need for Your Bird Sketch

We’ll be creating our bird drawing using the following materials:

• A piece of paper
• A pencil
• An eraser

How to Draw a Bird Step by Step

In this blog post, we will teach you how to create a Toucan drawing.

The collage above shows each step of the process so you know what your bird drawing should look like at each stage. 

Instructions on How to Draw a Bird Step by Step

Tip: Make sure you don’t press too hard on the paper when you draw your pencil lines so that you can correct your mistakes with an eraser as you go through the tutorial.

Step 1: Sketch the Bird’s Shape

Draw a medium oval shape for the body using a light pencil stroke.

Step 2: Draw the Bird’s Head

Draw a smaller oval shape for the head.

Step 3: Connect the Head with the Body (top part)

Draw a long curved line to connect the head and body using a darker pencil stroke.

Step 4: Connect the Head with the Body (bottom part)

Draw a shorter curved line to connect the head and body.

Step 5: Finish the Head

Draw a tiny line on the top of a small oval to finish the head.

Step 6: Draw the Bird’s Eye

Draw a small circle for the eye. Next, add a smaller circle inside and shade it to give it a 3D look.

Then shade it in.

Step 7: Draw the Bird’s Beak

Draw an inverted triangle shape for the beak.

Step 8: Erase the Pencil Marks

Erase any unwanted pencil marks.

Step 9: Draw the Bird’s Chin

Draw a curved line coming from the head on the right-hand side and connect it with a medium oval shape you created in Step 1.

Step 10: Add the Details to the Beak

Draw two small lines at the end of the beak.

Step 11: Add the Details to the Front Beak

Draw a straight line across the beak. Then add a tiny line on the end of the beak.

Step 12: Draw the Tail

Draw two curved lines for the tail and connect them with a small line in the middle.

Step 13: Draw the Bird’s Legs

Draw two small four lines to form the bird’s legs.

Step 14: Draw the Feet

Draw two claws at the end of each line to create the feet.

Remember that bird feet are usually bent so make sure you show this in your drawing.

Step 15: Add the Branch

Draw a curved line to create the branch that the bird is perched on.

Step 16: Add the Leaves

Draw some small leaves on the branch to create a more realistic look.

Draw a few leaf shapes and connect them to the branch.

Step 17: Draw the Bird’s Wings

Draw two curved lines and connect them to the body.

Step 18: Erase the Pencil Marks

Erase any unwanted pencil marks.

Step 19: Draw Feathers and Add the Details

The last step is to add feathers to your bird drawing, as well as details.

Draw several curved lines inside the wing and tail to create feathers. Then add several small lines to the body and beak.

Step 20: Add the Details to the Leaves

Draw some small lines and dots on the leaves to finish the drawing.

Congratulations!

There you have it. Your very own easy bird drawing.

Don’t worry if your bird drawing isn’t perfect the first time, the more you practice the better you will get!

Best Bird Art Tips for Bird Lovers :

• Practice sketching birds as often as you can.

• Pay close attention to the bird shapes and size of its beak, wings, tail, and legs.

• Add some expression or personality to your bird by giving it a facial expression or body language.

• Use any kind of medium such as watercolor, colored pencils, or markers for adding color.

• Add background elements such as plants or trees for a more interesting bird drawing.

Be sure to practice this simple bird drawing until you get it just right. Then, try sketching a flying bird drawing or a bird sitting.

Your bird drawing also can be very versatile: a cartoon bird or a realistic one.

Soon you will be a master of bird drawing.

Try drawing other animals like a cat or a dog to practice your drawing skills.

Are you looking for more drawing tutorials? Search our blog post of 101+ Drawing Ideas.

Happy Drawing!