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Lesson 4-3 New Life
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Bird Reproduction
Key Concept: All animals reproduce their own kind. Reproduction is the process of making
more of the same kind.
Birds reproduce sexually. That means that a male bird and a female bird must be involved. The
male bird has sperm. The female bird has eggs. When it is time to reproduce, the male bird gets
very close to the female bird and puts sperm inside her body. The sperm fertilize the eggs. Once
the eggs are fertilized, they grow a shell. The eggs are released from the female’s body, usually
into a nest. The parent birds must keep the eggs warm while the baby birds grow inside. The
eggs hatch into baby birds.
Each parent bird donates genes to their new offspring. The baby birds have a
mixture of the genes they got from each parent. That means baby birds look
like their parents, but they are not exactly alike.
Once the bird eggs are fertilized and laid, the eggs must be kept warm. The
baby birds need care from the parent birds for a few weeks. The baby birds
must be given warmth, food, and shelter at first. Once they learn to fly, they
will be able to find food, water, and shelter on their own.

Questions Answers

1. Does this animal reproduce

sexually or asexually?

2. Does fertilization take place

internally or externally?

3. Is this animal born live or

hatched from an egg?

4. Does this animal’s offspring

look like its parents?

5. What kinds of care does

this offspring need from its
parent(s)?

6. How long does this offspring

need care from its parent(s)?