How to Draw a Cockatoo

Learn how to draw a great looking Cockatoo with easy, step-by-step drawing instructions, and video tutorial.

By following the simple steps, you too can easily draw a perfect Cockatoo.

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Cockatoo

How to Draw a Great Looking Cockatoo for Kids and Beginners - Step 1

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 1

1. Begin the cartoon cockatoo outline by drawing its face. Use curved lines to sketch the curved, triangular beak and the front of the head.

Draw a circle within a circle for the eye, and shade the smaller circle. Contour above and below the eye with short lines.

Easy Cockatoo Drawing - Step 2

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 2

2. Use a "V" shaped line to enclose the lower portion of the beak.

On the back of the head, use curved lines that meet at points to draw the feathers of the iconic crest. Then, use curved lines for the front and back of the head.

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Easy Cockatoo Drawing - Step 3

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 3

3. Draw the longer feathers of the cockatoo's crest. Use a long curved line for the top of each feather and a series of shorter lines for the bottom.

Easy Cockatoo Drawing - Step 4

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 4

4. Sketch the bird's body and wing. Use a series of curved lines, noting the contours of the neck. For the wing, use long curved lines that meet at points and overlap to form the flight feathers.

Easy Cockatoo Drawing - Step 5

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 5

5. Texture the wing with rows of connected "U" shaped lines. Then, draw the feathered upper portion of the leg. Use a series of short curved lines that meet at points.

Easy Cockatoo Drawing - Step 6

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 6

6. Draw the upper portion of the remaining leg, again using short lines that meet at jagged points. Use long curved lines to sketch the leg and toes. At the tip of each toe, draw a curved triangle to indicate the claw.

Easy Cockatoo Drawing - Step 7

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 7

7. Use long curved lines and curved triangles to draw the remaining foot.

Then, begin sketching the long feathers of the tail, using lines that double back on themselves. Draw the base of the tail using a series of lines.

Add More Details to Your Cockatoo Picture - Step 8

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 8

8. Finish the tail feathers using long, overlapping curved lines. Then, give the bird a tree branch to perch on. Sketch the branch using long curved lines that eventually meet at points.

Complete the Outline of Your Cockatoo Drawing - Step 9

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 9

9. Texture both the bird and the branch with curved lines.

Color Your Cockatoo Drawing

Cockatoo step-by-step drawing tutorial: step 11

Your cartoon cockatoo outline is now complete. Color your bird.

We've shaded ours like the sulfur-crested cockatoo, one of the most well-known varieties. It has a white body, yellow feathers on its head, and a gray beak and feet.

The red-tailed black cockatoo from Australia has black feathers, a gray beak, and red markings under its tail.

For more great cute cartoons drawing tutorials, see the collection of Beginner Cute Cartoons Drawing Tutorials.

Easy, step by step Cockatoo drawing tutorial
How to Draw a Cockatoo Pinterest Image

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Learn More About The Cockatoo Drawing

How do you do, cockatoo? Say hello to this iconic tropical bird when you take flight with this cockatoo drawing guide.

The cockatoo is a large bird from Australia and the surrounding islands. People around the world keep them as pets, but in their home range, they often live in huge flocks. How many cockatoos can you draw?

Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.

Cockatoos look a lot like parrots. They have similar bodies and beaks, but they are unique in the mohawk-like feathers on top of their heads.

You can compare the cockatoo to this parrot drawing or a macaw drawing.

Cockatoos are nearly as well-known as parrots, but they don't come in as many colors. There are 21 different species of cockatoo, and most have variations on the black and white plumage described below.

For more easy and fun guides, see the How to Draw a Hummingbird Feeder or Bird Feeder Drawing tutorials.

Cockatoo Drawing Tutorial - Easy & Fun Printable Pages

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