Start with a square sheet of paper, colored side up if applicable
Fold the paper in half diagonally to make a triangle
Unfold it
Fold the paper in half diagonally the other way
Unfold it
Fold the paper in half horizontally
Unfold it
Fold the paper in half vertically
Unfold it
Bring the top corners together and collapse the paper into a smaller square base
Place the open end facing down
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer toward the center line
Fold the top point down over those folds
Unfold the last three folds
Lift the bottom point of the top layer upward while folding the side edges inward
Flatten to form a long diamond shape
Turn the paper over
Repeat the side folds and upward collapse on this side
Fold the left and right edges of the top layer toward the center line
Fold the top point down
Unfold
Lift the bottom point upward while folding the side edges inward
Flatten
Fold the left and right narrow outer edges toward the center line on both sides to make the neck and tail
Fold one narrow tip upward to form the head
Fold the head tip downward slightly to make the beak
Pull the wings down gently
Shape the crane as needed