KS1 / KS2 Science - Raising a baby bird

This film is from the series The Great British Year available on BBC Teach.

When spring arrives, male birds start singing to attract a partner and to tell other male birds to keep away.

Once the male bird finds a female partner they start to build a nest.

Different types of birds use different materials including twigs, straw, moss, spider web and feathers.

While many children are hunting for chocolate eggs at Easter, the female birds are busy laying eggs and sitting on the nest.

The eggs must be kept warm for the chicks to grow.

The birds must stay with the nest even during cold and wet weather.

The baby birds hatch at just the right time, when there is lots of food for them to eat.

The blue tit catches the caterpillars that are eating the new leaves sprouting on the trees.

Teacher Notes

The film could be used to start a discussion on what birds do to ensure their eggs hatch and baby birds grow.

Pupils could role play the different jobs the birds have to do in the right order - from singing and nest building in early spring to sitting on eggs and feeding the baby birds in the late spring.

Curriculum Notes

This clip will be relevant for teaching Science/ Geography

This topic is suitable for KS1 and KS2 in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland. Also Early and 1st Level in Scotland.

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