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There are more than 10 thousand species of birds that call our planet home.
Each one has unique patterns of feathers and various vocalizations that make it different from other types of birds. Here, you can learn how to draw many of these amazing animals.
Some birds have unique adaptations. Raptors or birds of prey have sharp claws and hooked, pointed beaks. Owls have soft feathers that make their nighttime flights noiseless.
The wandering albatross is a seagull that can spend years in the air without landing. The peregrine falcon can travel faster than any other animal, reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour. And many birds make great migrations every year, traveling vast distances.
Birdwatching can be a fun and educational lifelong hobby. Birdwatchers often keep a "life list" - a list of all the birds they've ever seen and identified. You can use these easy wildlife drawing tutorials to help you make a life list, too.
How? First, start by drawing familiar birds from our tutorial list that you know you've seen while hiking or in your own backyard.
Then, as your skills grow, you can adapt some of these tutorials to capture portraits of other types of birds. For example, you could use the tutorial entitled "How to Draw a Bird" and color the feathers to match whatever bird you've seen.
Gather your gear - binoculars, pens, pencils, erasers, markers, and colored pencils. Then, you're ready to enhance your avian drawing skills with the help of these easy bird drawing guides!
46 Easy Bird Drawing Ideas
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How to Draw an Easy Cartoon Owl
Owls have had various meanings in different cultures. Some considered them a bad omen, while today they often represent wisdom. This is linked to the mythology of the goddess Athena. About 250 species of owls live worldwide, from tiny burrowing elf owls to large great horned and snowy owls. What kind will you draw?
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How to Draw a Flamingo
There are six species of flamingos, many of which sport an intriguing pink color. They may migrate in flocks numbering into the millions. Did you know? The flamingo's bright plumage is the result of a diet of algae and invertebrates rich in carotenoid pigments.
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How to Draw a Rooster
The rooster or co*ck is the male chicken. It is known for its long, colorful tail feathers and its signature co*ck-a-doodle-doo call. Did you know? Contrary to popular belief, roosters don't just crow in the morning to wake people up. They may begin crowing in the middle of the night and continue throughout the day!
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How to Draw a Peaco*ck
A peaco*ck is a male peafowl, a turkey-sized bird known for its long tail of striking, iridescent blue and green feathers. When displaying to a female - known as a peahen - the peaco*ck holds his tail aloft like an elegant fan.
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How to Draw a Seagull
Seagulls are prolific throughout the world. They are known for noisy squawking and for stealing food from tourists! The seagull's range is not limited to the sea - many migrate inland for the summer or winter, where they can be seen in parking lots or landfills.
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How to Draw an Eagle Head
The bald eagle is the national animal of the United States of America. Its head appears on currency, military insignia, and in many other patriotic images. As you draw, notice that the eagle's head really isn't bald - its white feathers simply contrast with the brown feathers of its body.
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How to Draw a Bird
This standard bird can serve as a basis for any bird species you want to record. Will it remain a white dove as in our illustration? Or will you craft it into a brightly colored parrot or a familiar songbird? It all depends on how you color it.
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How to Draw a Cartoon Bird
Our cartoon bluebird resembles Kessie from The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Use this cartoon bird in flight to create any type of bird you want to draw. How? Simply color it as you wish!
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How to Draw a Pigeon
Pigeons are common sights in cities around the world. But did you know that Australia, New Guinea, and the surrounding islands are home to brightly colored pigeons? Some are marked in oranges, rosy hues, and greens, resembling a ripening fruit. The Victoria crowned pigeon is as large as a turkey, bright blue in color, and sports a crown of feathers on its head!
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How to Draw a Turkey
Turkeys may make you think of Thanksgiving dinner, but did you know? Wild turkeys can be spotted throughout the Americas. They may gather in flocks of hundreds, darkening the trees when they roost for the night.
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How to Draw a Baby Bird
Baby birds are not commonly seen by bird watchers. Why? Because they remain safely tucked inside their nests until they grow their grown-up feathers and learn to fly. If you watch a nest carefully, you may see a mother bird feeding worms or insects to her hungry chicks.
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How to Draw a Cardinal Bird
The northern cardinal or redbird is a favorite North American feeder bird. The males have bright red feathers, and the females are reddish-brown. Cardinals don't migrate; they are present in both summer and winter. Their brightly colored feathers really stand out against the snow!
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How to Draw Tweety Bird
Tweety Bird is one of the most famous cartoon birds. He's been a fan favorite for almost one hundred years. This spunky little bird is known for its mischievous personality.
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How to Draw a Pelican
When you think of pelicans, do you think of Disney's Finding Nemo? Or have you observed these large birds in the wild? Pelicans are synonymous with coastal life and beach culture.
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How to Draw an Eagle
Eagles in flight are often described as majestic. Learn how to draw a bald eagle, a symbol of the United States. Or, shade your drawing to represent another eagle species, such as the golden eagle.
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How to Draw a Chicken
Did you know? There are an estimated 25.9 billion chickens in the world. That's three chickens to every human! Farms large and small raise chickens for meat, for eggs, or as pets.
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How to Draw a Falcon
Falcons are birds of prey known for their skill in hunting. For centuries, humans have raised and trained falcons in a sport known as falconry. Our illustration is shaded to represent the most well-known falcon species, the peregrine falcon.
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How to Draw a Bird Nest
What is that bundle of sticks and strings? Maybe it's a bird's nest! If you are quiet and watch carefully, you may be able to observe eggs or chicks in the nest. In North America, wrens often nest in the most unlikely places - garages, mailboxes, even old shoes!
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How to Draw Angry Birds
Perhaps you prefer a different kind of bird watching - watching them launch themselves at the egg-stealing piggies! Learn how to draw Red from Angry Birds..
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How to Draw a Baby Duck
This cute little guy is no ugly duckling! Fill your pond with sketches of this adorable baby duck.
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How to Draw a Bird Skull
All good things must come to an end, including the fluttering feathers of a beautiful bird. But, you can learn a lot by studying bird biology with the help of this skeletal drawing guide.
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How to Draw a Cartoon Hawk
Hawks are birds of prey or raptors. They are similar to eagles but usually smaller. What kinds of hawks can be found where you live? In North America, the red-tailed hawk is a common sight. And yes, it is colored as its name suggests.
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How to Draw a Goose
Geese are common symbols of rural life. Fill your pond with sketches of this honking waterbird.
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How to Draw a Blue Jay
Large, colorful blue jays are common across North America. They are often used as sports team mascots.
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How to Draw a Vulture
Vultures are nature's cleanup crew, as they eat dead animals. Did you know? Some vultures find their meals by sight, while others follow their noses.
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How to Draw a Duck
Did you learn how to draw a baby duck? If so, you must give your ducklings a mother with the help of this easy cartoon drawing tutorial.
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How to Draw an Easter Chick
Does your family have a tradition of adopting chicks on Easter? You can bring home this adorable baby bird hatching from an egg any time of year.
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How to Draw a Toucan
From Toucan Sam to Tookie Tookie, toucans often represent the jungle or the tropics.
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How to Draw a Hummingbird
Did you know? Tiny acrobatic hummingbirds are only native to the Americas. But you can draw one of these amazing feats of nature no matter where you live.
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How to Draw a Feather
Let's take a closer look at just one part of the bird - the feather. Do you notice the central shaft or rachis, and the individual barbs that make up the vane?
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How to Draw a Robin
Different types of robins live in Europe and North America. Which variety will you draw? Shade yours to represent the species that live near you.
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How to Draw a Dove
The dove is a symbol of peace, especially when holding an olive branch in its mouth, as this one is. Doves play a role in the mythology and symbolism of many religions.
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How to Draw a Sparrow
Tiny sparrows can be seen around the world. Do the markings on the sparrows where you live differ from our illustration?
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How to Draw a Penguin
Penguins are flightless birds specially adapted to life in the seas. They are one of the cutest birds around!
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How to Draw Love Birds
Some birds pair off for life. One such bird is the lovebird, a small green and orange parrot. Draw these cute lovebirds to show someone you care.
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How to Draw a Parrot
“Polly want a picture?” Learn how to draw a tropical parrot with the help of this drawing guide. Will your parrot live deep in the jungle or perch on a pirate's shoulder?
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How to Draw an Eastern Bluebird
North American bird watchers love to catch a glimpse of an eastern bluebird. Its bright blue feathers and reddish-orange breast make it a standout among familiar feeder birds.
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How to Draw a Raven
Ravens, crows, and blackbirds are seen as bearers of bad luck in some cultures. But these large birds are actually some of the smartest animals around!
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How to Draw a Mockingbird
The mockingbird is found throughout the Americas. Its name comes from its ability to imitate the sounds of other birds, as well as barking dogs, car alarms, chainsaws, and more. It has been immortalized in literature such as To Kill a Mockingbird and the Hunger Games series.
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How to Draw a Phoenix
Birds often play a role in mythology and symbolism. The phoenix is one example. This fiery bird is said to have lit a funeral pyre for itself and dove into the flames. It later arose from the ashes, reborn anew.
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Yellow Angry Bird
Got your slingshot ready? What about your pencil and paper? This speedy, triangle-shaped angry bird is ready for action.
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Porg from Star Wars
Unlike most birds, Porgs don't have beaks - they have small, fleshy mouths and noses instead. But their body shape, coloring, wings, and feet are reminiscent of a real shorebird called a puffin.
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Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck is a longtime classic cartoon character. It's always duck season with this Looney Tunes star.
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Ostrich
Ostriches are the largest birds in the world - do you have enough paper? Sketch this one's long neck and legs, as well as its feathered body.
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Bird Feeder
If you want to see more birds, all you need is a bird feeder! Learn how to sketch one here.
