TV series
A natural history of bird life narrated by David Attenborough.
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.
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Checked Jul 22, 2026
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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.
Cast, crew and production details
David AttenboroughSelf - Narrator (voice)
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
BBC Studios Natural History UnitUnited KingdomWatch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.
Episode 1
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.
Where to watch The Life of Birds
Episode 2
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.
Where to watch The Life of Birds
Episode 3
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.
Where to watch The Life of Birds
Episode 4
This epsiode looks at those birds that have become strictlt meat eaters from eagles and hawks to owls and vultures.
Where to watch The Life of Birds
Episode 5
A look at those birds that look to fishing as their main food source. From gulls and ducks to cormorants and cranes.
Where to watch The Life of Birds
Episode 6
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.
Where to watch The Life of Birds
Episode 7
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.
Where to watch The Life of Birds
Episode 8
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.
Where to watch The Life of Birds
Episode 9
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.
Where to watch The Life of Birds
Episode 10
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.
Where to watch The Life of BirdsEpisode information updated Jul 22, 2026
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