I ended up revising my Paper Nature project by first remaking the fish/bird out of sturdier paper, this time adding color to both sides in order to contrast the blue background of the sea and sky behind it.

In addition, I also created a rotating base that, when spun, triggers the animation depending on which animal is facing forward.  This was accomplished by creating contact points with aluminum foil that was then connected to the Makey Makey board.