A bird is a warm-blooded animal that lays eggs and has feathers, wings and a beak.

An egg is a roundish object with a developing animal inside.

A hatchling is a very young animal that has just hatched from an egg.

A fledgling is a young bird that is developing feathers for flight and is getting ready to leave the nest.

When living things reproduce they create their offspring.

Bird life cycles

Science

Animal groups

Insects (non-statutory)

Mammal life cycles

Comparing the life cycles of mammals and birds

Amphibian life cycles

Insect life cycles

Comparing the life cycles of amphibians and insects

Endangered animals & life cycles (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

More about endangered animals (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Animal gestation periods

In this Reproduction and life cycles: animals unit, pupils learn to describe the life process of reproduction in some animals. In the Evolution and inheritance unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents

In the New life unit, pupils learnt that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults. In this Reproduction and life cycles: animals unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to describe the differences in life cycles of different animal groups

This unit explores the life cycles of mammals, amphibians, insects, and birds, and the reproduction process in plants and animals. It focuses on recording data, presenting findings with conclusions, and evaluating scientific evidence to support or refute ideas in various presentation formats.

Reproduction and life cycles: animals

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

A scientist is creating a life cycle diagram. How many stages are there in the bird life cycle?

A life cycle diagram shows different stages in a bird's life. Starting with the youngest stage, order the stages in the bird life cycle.

A protective shell with a small bird forming inside.

A very young bird that can't yet leave the nest.

A growing bird who is learning to walk or fly.

A fully grown bird who is able to reproduce.

Match the stage of the bird life cycle to the correct description.

The bird inside the egg needs time to fully form.

At which stage in a bird's life cycle can it reproduce?

Scientists can find out about bird life cycles by {{}} them over time.

They are warm-blooded with feathers, wings and a beak.

Which of these descriptions is about birds?

Which of these animals is **not** a bird?

The stages an animal goes through over time.

What does an animal life cycle diagram show us?

Bird life cycles

Lesson outcome

Content guidance