How to Draw an Ostrich (Easy Step by Step)
This ostrich is a fun mix of ovals and circles: a wide oval head, a narrow neck, and a puffy cloud-shaped body. Its short legs and big round eyes with little lashes give it a silly, friendly look that kids love to draw. You only need to practice curvy bumps and simple lines.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw an ostrich step by step
How to Draw an Ostrich · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The head
Draw a wide oval near the top of your page for the head. Make the bottom a little flat, like a rounded egg lying on its side.
Step 3: The beak
At the bottom of the head, draw a short, wide shape with rounded corners, like a little pill lying on its side. This is the flat beak.
Step 4: Eyes and neck
Draw two small circles in the upper part of the head for eyes, each with a tiny circle inside, and add a few short lash lines on the outer sides. Then draw a narrow tube hanging down from under the beak for the neck.
Step 5: The fluffy body
Start where the neck ends and draw a big cloud shape with lots of round bumps, like soft feathers. Curve all the way around the body and close it underneath. Don't worry about the wobbly line hanging down at the bottom, the legs will cover it.
Step 6: The wing
On the left side of the body, draw a rounded leaf shape for the wing. It is a little pointy at the bottom and leans to one side.
Step 7: Feathers and legs
Inside the wing, draw two curved lines that follow its shape for feathers. Then, under the body, draw two short legs. Give each leg a small circle for a knee and finish each foot with a small V shape for the toes.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your ostrich? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a donkey or how to draw a scorpion next.
Tips for drawing an ostrich
- Draw the head oval first and leave plenty of room below it, so the neck and the cloud body have space.
- The fluffy body is the trickiest part. Draw small, even bumps one after another instead of one big wobbly line.
- Keep both legs the same length and line up the knee circles side by side so your ostrich stands steady.
Free ostrich coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this ostrich coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your ostrich drawing
Try dark brown or black for the body, light pink or gray for the neck and legs, and orange or yellow for the beak. For a creative twist, give your ostrich rainbow feathers like a party bird.
Ostrich fun fact for kids
An ostrich is the biggest bird alive, and it cannot fly. It can run about 45 miles per hour, which is faster than any other bird on two legs.
Questions about drawing an ostrich
What shapes do I need to draw an ostrich?
You need a wide oval for the head, a small rounded shape for the beak, two small circles for the eyes, a narrow tube for the neck, and a bumpy cloud shape for the body. The wing is a rounded leaf shape, and the legs are short lines with small circles for knees.
How do I make my ostrich look cuter?
Make the eyes extra big and add a few little lashes. A round, fluffy body with lots of bumps also makes it look soft and friendly.
How do I draw the fluffy feathers?
Draw a row of small, rounded bumps all the way around the body, like a cloud. Take it slowly and keep the bumps about the same size.
