Must-Watch Bird Documentaries
Hope you're in the mood for a whole flock of bird facts because we are going to get you ready to impress anyone at the next party you attend.
One of the fun things about studying animals, in my opinion, is learning their various collective nouns. Different species of birds have some of the most amazing (and poetic, really) collective nouns. You've probably heard of a murder of crows and a parliament of owls. But are you familiar with the following groups?
A flamboyance of flamingos. A descent of woodpeckers. A charm, or bouquet, of hummingbirds. A convocation of eagles. A duet of osprey. A party, or band, of blue jays. A college, or radiance, of cardinals. A muster, or ostentation, of peacocks. A committee of vultures. (There are so many more but I'll stop now.) These terms make so much sense when you think about the specific bird and how they look and act when gathered.
And now for the show you've been waiting for: please enjoy this collection of bird documentaries for new and longtime birders alike.
Penguins: Meet the Family
In case you were only familiar with the penguins of Antarctica, here's your chance to learn about all 18 species of penguins! This wonderful film from NATURE has it all. I laughed, I cried, I bookmarked NATURE's handy penguin fact sheet.
Peregrine Falcons are Feathered Fighter Jets, Basically
Did you know that a group of falcons can be called a cast or a kettle? They have sharp vision, stiff feathers, and dive in a stoop position to fly at super high speeds. Peregrine falcons are the fastest of the falcons, reaching recorded speeds of 200 miles per hour. Think about that.
If that's not enough to get you geeked out about falcons, watch them parent a baby fighter jet in another falcon-themed episode of Deep Look. And then meet Hesper Lana Fang, who explains what it's like to be a falconer to our favorite outdoorsman Baratunde Thurston.
Inside Animal Minds: Bird Genius
Has anyone ever called you a bird brain? No, of course not because you watch PBS. But can we talk about how misguided that phrase is? It's insulting to birds and we know from having watched this epic 2014 NOVA documentary, that birds are, in fact, geniuses.
This documentary is available in full for purchase on iTunes.
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Birds of the Gods
This 2011 NATURE documentary has everything: sweet bird choreography, stunning cinematography, and David Attenborough. Travel to rainforests on the island of New Guinea to learn about the stunning Birds of Paradise.
What came first? The chicken or the egg?
The egg came first! Trust. And trust the most excellent folks from EONS to explain it better than I could.
And once you've entered the egg zone, you'll want to know more so go check out the Be Smart episode titled "Why Don't Birds Lay Square Eggs?" It's an easy transition from there to learning about the archaeopteryx, a paravian dinosaur in "When Birds Had Teeth."
Indulge me in a discussion of two additional flightless and culturally significant birds.
Larry Bird wore Converse hi-tops during the NBA finals in 1986 (one of his championship-winning years with the Boston Celtics) and in 1987 (when the Celtics lost to the Lakers). Those signed, game-worn shoes were appraised on Antiques Roadshow last year! BIRD! Before you watch the appraisal, take a guess at the estimated worth of the two pairs. Take a guess.
Charlie "Bird" Parker
Jazz fans often have a favorite bird: the great jazz innovator, Charlie "Bird" Parker, was born in Kansas City. In his short life he flew high above his fellow musicians to create a new strata of music: bebop. Sound Field explores just how Charlie "Bird" Parker changed jazz forever.
For what would have been Charlie Parker's 100th birthday, American Masters re-released their documentary about his life: Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker.