

1998–1998 · BBC One · Ended
David Attenborough's epic series uncovers new research into the behaviour of these popular, perfectly adapted, skillul conquerors of the air. In this series, the secrets of birds' great successes comes to light - their remarkable strategies for finding food, their complex social systems, and their ingenious and often bizarre ways of mating and breeding. From high speed aerial hunters and long distance migrants to brilliantly coloured nectar-grazers, the comical and the bizarre, this is the definitive series on birds.
Wednesdays at 8:00 PM London time
This series has ended.
Last aired
S01E10 · The Limits of Endurance
1998-12-23
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To Fly or Not to Fly
1998-10-21 · 50 min
The Mastery of Flight
1998-10-28 · 50 min
The Insatiable Appetite
1998-11-04 · 50 min
Meat-Eaters
1998-11-11 · 50 min
Fishing for a Living
1998-11-18 · 50 min
Signals and Songs
1998-11-25 · 50 min
Finding Partners
1998-12-02 · 50 min
The Demands of the Egg
1998-12-09 · 50 min
The Problems of Parenthood
1998-12-16 · 50 min
The Limits of Endurance
1998-12-23 · 50 min
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Browse #thelifeofbirds on Instagram →Mike Salisbury obituary
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The Guardian · May 8, 2026
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The Times · May 8, 2026