This tutorial (all 3 parts) in book form: [link]
Full tutorial list: [link]

This is only the beginning! Birds are such a complex subject, in particular due to their bewildering variety, that I've had to divide this tutorial in 2. Part 2 will cover nearly all bird families to show their physical characteristics. Don't tell me I haven't covered different types of beaks or feet because I am doing that in part 2, and I won't thank you for not reading this description.

I make references at times to human anatomy, so if you're not familiar with it drop by my earlier tutorial Ze Big Guide to Body Drawing [link] (it can't hurt to look at Basic Animal Anatomy [link] as well).

I'll repeat here some advice I gave with the previous tutorials:
Use the above guide as a supplement to gesture drawing. Reading and memorizing all this won't help you as much as sketching from life; this guide simply provides the understanding that will make your sketching a learning experience rather than a random process. So, carry a sketchbook around and gesture-draw birds in the park, or from TV.

Also, though in these 2 parts I tried to give all the basic info one needed, personal research is invaluable. If you want to really draw a specific bird, you need to look for pictures of it, movies as well if possible, soak them up, sketch from them, until the way the bird stands and moves become instinctive to you.

Part 2: [link]
Part 3: [link]

NO part of this tutorial may be reproduced, so don't even ask!! if you find it helpful and want to share it, simply link to it.