The Life of Birds

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 7 people | Log in to rate

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The Life of Birds Is a Superb BBC TV series by David Attenborough

The Life of Birds is a fantastic 10-part documentary BBC televison series first broadcast in 1998. Narrated by David Attenborough, The Life of Birds contains some of the most memorable footage of bird behaviour ever seen, including many species never filmed before: it is a wonderful series and a must see for any bird lover from armchair bird enthusiast to serious ornithologist.

For those interested in watching amazing bird videos, try my lens; 10 Bird Video Clips you Must See.

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The Life of Birds 

I have been birdwatching for more than 30 years and have studied ecology and evolution and this is the most accessible way of learning about all three that I have ever seen. This really is television of the highest class - a must for all nature lovers.

If you are not a bird lover before watching the life of birds you will be afterwards.
The Life of Birds

The Life of Birds

The Life of Birds, 10 - part series on DVD

Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 07/04/2009) Buy Now

The Life of Birds

The Life of Birds

by: David Attenborough

The Life of Birds - the book of the series.

Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 07/04/2009) Buy Now

Superb Lyrebird 

The Life of Birds is a must see series for the footage in episode 6 of the Superb Lyrebird alone. This piece of film was voted the British public's favourite moment from a David Attenborough series which, considering David's long and memorable career, is a huge recommendation.

The footage of the Superb Lyrebird shows it mimicking perfectly the sound of a camera shutter and the camera's motor drive, a car alarm and most incredibly the sound of a chainsaw and splintering trees.

Whether you are a birdwatcher or not this sight and sound is something unforgettable - many of my non-birding friends have watched it and were quite amazed.

Lyrebird Video 

Superb Lyrebird performing an amazing call.

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Lyre Bird - Imitating Sounds - David Attenborough 2 points

The Life of Birds 

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Episode 1 - To Fly or Not to Fly 

Birds first took to the air one hundred and fifty million years ago. When the dinosaurs disappeared, some birds abandoned flight and made a bid to take over the earth. And some are still doing so today.

Episode 2 - The Mastery of Flight 

Speed, endurance and unrivalled agility are the hallmarks of the aces of the skies. But what are the secrets of their aeronautical skills?

Episode 3 - The Insatiable Appetite 

A huge diversity of bill shapes and sizes have evolved to cope with all the most difficult-to-find foods. Even so, some birds have to use two tools to help them.

Episode 4 - Meat-Eaters 

Flesh is a rich source of energy, but both hunters and scavengers need incredible strategies and skills to compete for their elusive prey.

Episode 5 - Fishing for a Living 

The earth's vast areas of fresh and salt water are a cornucopia of millions of birds from humble filter feeders to majestic fish eagles.

Episode 6 - Signals and Songs 

Communication - by beautiful songs and extraordinary patterns of colour makes everything possible, from deterring predators and intimidating rivals, to impressing potential mates.

Episode 7 - Finding Partners 

Extraordinary displays and bizarrely beautiful mating rituals play a vital part in the crucial business of attracting - and keeping - a mate.

Episode 8 - The Demands of the Egg 

The drive to reproduce is fraught with danger, from the battle for a nest site to the unrelenting threat of predators.

Episode 9 - The Problems of Parenthood 

With insatiable appetites to provide for and the need for unfailing vigilance, bringing up baby is a full-time job that requires some very special skills.

Episode 10 - The Limits of Endurance 

In the unending struggle for survival, changes and disasters wrought by both nature and man create new challenges that must constantly be met and overcome.

The Life of Birds 

The Life of Birds

The Life of Birds

The complete wonderful series on DVD.

Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 07/04/2009) Buy Now

The Life of Birds

The Life of Birds

by: David Attenborough

The book of the series.

Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 07/04/2009) Buy Now

Other Highlights of the Life of Birds 

There are so many wonderful moments in this series it is difficult to mention only a few. Apart from the superb Lyrebird there is some incredible footage of courtship behaviour of a number of species of Birds of Paradise, beautiful pictures of Hummingbirds feeding from nectar feeders in a man's garden, an enthralling aerial battle between 2 Sea Eagles and unique footage of a male Kakapo inflating himself in order to give his booming call.

One of my favourite moments from the Life of Birds is the incredible Bowerbird "temple" which resembles a cave woven from straw, containing an altar and piles of pink flowers and beetle wings as decoration to attract a mate - quite wonderful!

More Video Clips From The Life of Birds 


Kiwi: The Life of Birds, episode 1

Runtime: 4:07
95 views
0 Comments:


Wild crows inhabiting the city use it to their advantage - David Attenborough - BBC wildlife

Runtime: 2:15
158402 views
10 Comments:


To Fly or Not to Fly

Runtime: 49:18
9887 views
10 Comments:


Fishing for a Living

Runtime: 49:11
2626 views
10 Comments:


The Life of Birds - Blue Manakin

Runtime: 1:51
4420 views
1 Comments:


Animal romance and mating of the albatross bird - David Attenborough - BBC wildlife

Runtime: 3:17
55693 views
10 Comments:

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Other Great BBC Wildlife Documentaries 

The BBC and David Attenborough have collaborated to produce a number of excellent wildlife series over the years. Here are some of the best.
The Life of Mammals, Vol. 1-4

The Life of Mammals, Vol. 1-4

Amazon Price: $79.98 (as of 07/04/2009) Buy Now

Life in the Undergrowth

Life in the Undergrowth

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/04/2009) Buy Now

Life in Cold Blood

Life in Cold Blood

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/04/2009) Buy Now

Life in the Freezer

Life in the Freezer

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 07/04/2009) Buy Now

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series

Amazon Price: $43.99 (as of 07/04/2009) Buy Now

My Bird Video Clip Lens 

If you have seen The Life of Birds and enjoyed it then you should check out my lens of 10 Bird Video Clips, where I have showcased 11 (I found one more I couldn't resist after making the lens) superb video clips showing some amazing bird behaviour. The Lyrebird is there again and so is an amazing dancing Bowerbird and a shoplifting seagull; take a look.
featured lens 10 Bird Video Clips you Must See

Birds are an amazing group of species, the closest living relatives of dinosaurs, indeed there is evidence to suggest that they are dinosaurs. I have been watching birds since I was 7 years old, but it didn't take me long to see that bird behaviour...

What do you think? 

I think that the Lyrebird is hard to beat but if you have another favourite moment from The Life of Birds please let me know.

Lensmaster

dustytoes wrote...

Wow that Lyrebird video is awesome! And a bit sad. My 11 year old son and I watched it and he was amazed too. Fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

ReplyPosted June 07, 2009

Lensmaster

darlkay52 wrote...

Great lens. I love watching birds in my area!

ReplyPosted February 06, 2009

Lensmaster

Matthew_Ferry wrote...

Wow! Very impressive lens especially the Lyre Bird, I enjoy a lot..Really I'm so impressed with this very unique creature...5 impressive stars for you..

ReplyPosted July 03, 2008

Lensmaster

ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...

Bird watching is the second largest hobby in America, second only to gardening. I love to garden but I would rather just sit and watch the birds.

ReplyPosted March 17, 2008

Lensmaster

DogWhisperWoman wrote...

Sometimes I sit and watch the wild birds native to here. They are so intresting to watch. 5* Pitbull Dog

ReplyPosted October 10, 2007

 
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About The lens Author 

Lensmaster nickupton, aka nick upton, has been a member since June 23 2007, has rated 77 lenses, favorited 63, and has created 49 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Thailand Travel Advice: 10 Things To Avoid Doing In Thailand". See all my lenses

by nickupton







Having been a birdologist since the age of seven I am something of an ornithological recluse. However, I managed to gain adulthood, if onl... (more)

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