The Life Cycle of a Bird

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

• Did you say birds hatch from eggs?

Fantastic!

• Can you think of some different kinds of birds?

Birds lay eggs.

• Have you ever seen eggs in a nest?
• Where did you see the nest?

If you have never seen a bird's nest, think about what it might look like and the types of things a bird may use to build a nest.

All birds are hatched from eggs. Look at the image below.

• How many eggs are there?
• Do you know what kind of bird is shown?

That's right! That big bird with black feathers, a pink neck, and a head is an ostrich. Ostriches lay large white eggs.

Bird eggs come in different sizes and colors.

Use the slider beneath the following images to see pictures of birds and their eggs.

• What colors do you see?
• Do you recognize any of those birds?

Bird eggs have hard shells. This keeps the baby inside the egg and helps protect the baby from harm.

Eggshells are not very strong! If you drop an egg on the ground, it will crack. If you ever find a bird's egg, you should gently return the egg to the bird's nest.

While the baby birds are still in the egg, the parent(s) incubate the eggs. This means the bird sits on the eggs to keep them warm.

If the eggs get too cold, the babies won't be able to grow and hatch. Birds don't weigh much and can sit on their eggs without cracking them.

Watch the video below of a pigeon and her egg.

• Do you see how a bird keeps its eggs warm?

The baby bird will hatch from the egg once it is ready. The baby bird uses its body to crack the egg.

When the bird is finally out of the egg, it will rely on its parent(s) for food. The baby will be fed from its mother's mouth during this time.

Watch this next video to see a baby robin hatching out of its egg.

• What do you notice about the baby bird?

Once the babies have feathers and have grown stronger, they will learn how to fly.

The mother teaches the babies how to fly. It takes some practice for the babies to learn to fly like their parents.

• Have you ever seen a bird flying?

Sometimes birds need some extra help learning to fly. Watch the following video to see a pelican learning to fly.

• Do you think it is easy for a bird to learn to fly? Why or why not?

Once a bird learns how to fly, it will be ready to live independently. Adult birds can fly to new places, build their nests, and find mates.

• Can you think of some different types of adult birds you have seen around your home?
• How do adult birds fly?
• Where do they live?

Think about some birds that live in your area.

Before moving on to the next section, tell in your own words how birds take care of their babies while they are still in the egg.

When ready, move to the Got It? section to learn more about birds and their babies!