From swans to spoonbills, these brick-built birds are a soaring achievement
Dutch AFOL William Van Beek didn’t set out with a focus on building birds – his MOCs had been grounded more in the architecture of the Netherlands. But as buildings became dioramas, birds became as essential as minifigs to bring the Dutch countryside to life.
This was especially true as William began a project to recreate the historic Efteling Park in LEGO, as the storybook theme park famously features a daily goose parade! Soon William had an army of geese with an adorable and expressive design made from roughly 15 parts, most prominently croissant wings. Friends and AFOLs were taking notice!
But as prominent as geese are in Dutch landscapes, they’re far from the only bird. Swans and pheasants joined the flock! Wings from the D&D Aarakocra Ranger work perfectly for soaring swans, and the pheasant modifies the goose build with a stubbier heads and buttery brown croissant wings.
Roosting storks stand proud atop a brilliant nest of tan cables with their back-tipped wings and dark orange drill beaks.
Peacocks flew in with several variations. A minifig hand clipped to a sprout is an inspired way to give the bird its signature crest. William also made custom stickers to give the tailfeathers “eyes” but I prefer these clean ones.
William made a mix of other waterfowl: a great white egret with its little feather plume, a great blue heron with its signature stoop, and a Muscovy duck with its bright red face.
But why stop with birds common in Europe? William also creates the African crowned crane with its yellow halo of feathers and an excellent flamingo standing tall on one leg. And lets not forget the aptly named spoonbill!
Finally, we have William’s latest and largest bird creation: the ostrich! (Unless the builder moves on to prehistoric fowl, they won’t be getting any bigger than this!) Large clamshells make perfect wings, but the most inspired parts usage has to be the grey frog for a head.
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