The Life of Birds

The Life of Birds Season 1 episodes

1. 01

   S01 E01

   To Fly or Not to Fly?

   50 mins · Wed, 21 Oct 1998

   The first episode looks at how birds first took to the skies in the wake of the insects. It begins in Mexico, where Attenborough observes bats being outmaneuvered by a red-tailed hawk.

3. 02

   S01 E02

   The Mastery of Flight

   50 mins · Wed, 28 Oct 1998

   The second programme deals with the mechanics of flight. Getting into the air is by far the most exhausting of a bird's activities, and Attenborough observes shearwaters in Japan that have taken to climbing trees to give them a good jumping-off point.

5. 03

   S01 E03

   The Insatiable Appetite

   50 mins · Wed, 4 Nov 1998

   A look at the constant need to feed necessitated by the demands of flight in species from sap suckers and crows, to robins and geese.

6. 04

   S01 E04

   Meat-Eaters

   50 mins · Wed, 11 Nov 1998

   This epsiode looks at those birds that have become strictlt meat eaters from eagles and hawks to owls and vultures.

7. 05

   S01 E05

   Fishing for a Living

   50 mins · Wed, 18 Nov 1998

   A look at those birds that look to fishing as their main food source. From gulls and ducks to cormorants and cranes.

8. 06

   S01 E06

   Signals and Songs

   50 mins · Wed, 25 Nov 1998

   A look at the way birds communicate. The program shows us how calls of warning can unite a community of birds against a larger predator and how other calls may be used to attract mates.

9. 07

   S01 E07

   Finding Partners

   50 mins · Wed, 2 Dec 1998

   A look at how birds attract and select mates. The survey ranges from common birds such as the sparrow to the more exotic frigate birds, and Jamaican hummingbirds. Other segments concentrate on the dancing associated with the courtship of grebes and the artistic collections of bower birds.

10. 08

    S01 E08

    The Demands of the Egg

    50 mins · Wed, 9 Dec 1998

    A look at eggs and what birds go through to produce and protect them. This epsiode ranges from the mating flights to fledging of their offspring. Species examined include frigate birds and toucans as well as weaver birds and cuckoos.

11. 09

    S01 E09

    The Problems of Parenthood

    50 mins · Wed, 16 Dec 1998

    This episode looks at the problems birds face in raising their young. It ranges from parrots who are very active parents to cuckoos who are famous for foisting the job off on others.

12. 10

    S01 E10

    The Limits of Endurance

    50 mins · Wed, 23 Dec 1998

    A look at how birds deal with hostile environments and with people. The episode ranges from crows in Japan that use traffic to crack nuts to penguins who never see a person but make long treks through frigid wastes.

More seasons of The Life of Birds

• Specials
• Season 1