Storyline

In the documentary series produced by the BBC, The Life of Birds, Sir David Attenborough unveils a new investigation into the behaviour of birds, perfectly adapted animals that conquer the air. This ten-part series reveals the secret of the birds' great success, their remarkable strategies for finding food, their complex social systems, and their ingenious and often bizarre ways of mating and breeding. From the high speed of large airborne hunters to long distance migrations or the bright colors of nectar feeding hummingbirds, this is the ultimate bird series that every ornithologist should not miss.

First Aired

1998-10-21
Last Aired

1998-12-23
Creator
Genre

Documentary
Seasons

1
Episodes

10
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

BBC One

Keywords:

wildlife animals nature nature documentary birds natural world

Stream and watch The Life of Birds

Season 1

1. To Fly or Not to Fly?

The first episode looks at how birds first took to the skies in the wake of the insects. It begins in ...More

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.Less

50mins 1998-10-21

2. The Mastery of Flight

The second programme deals with the mechanics of flight. Getting into the air is by far the most exhau...More

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.Less

50mins 1998-10-28

3. The Insatiable Appetite

A look at the constant need to feed necessitated by the demands of flight in species from sap suckers ...More

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.Less

50mins 1998-11-04

4. Meat-Eaters

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

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

50mins 1998-11-11

5. Fishing for a Living

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

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

50mins 1998-11-18

6. Signals and Songs

A look at the way birds communicate. The program shows us how calls of warning can unite a community o...More

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.Less

50mins 1998-11-25

7. Finding Partners

A look at how birds attract and select mates. The survey ranges from common birds such as the sparrow ...More

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.Less

50mins 1998-12-02

8. The Demands of the Egg

A look at eggs and what birds go through to produce and protect them. This epsiode ranges from the mat...More

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.Less

50mins 1998-12-09

9. The Problems of Parenthood

This episode looks at the problems birds face in raising their young. It ranges from parrots who are v...More

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.Less

50mins 1998-12-16

10. The Limits of Endurance

A look at how birds deal with hostile environments and with people. The episode ranges from crows in J...More

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.Less