8.7/1097 votes#1 - To Fly or Not to Fly?
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/21/1998
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.6/1087 votes#2 - The Mastery of Flight
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/28/1998
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.7/1085 votes#3 - The Insatiable Appetite
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/4/1998
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.6/1084 votes#4 - Meat-Eaters
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/11/1998
This epsiode looks at those birds that have become strictlt meat eaters from eagles and hawks to owls and vultures.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.7/1084 votes#5 - Fishing for a Living
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/18/1998
A look at those birds that look to fishing as their main food source. From gulls and ducks to cormorants and cranes.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.8/1088 votes#6 - Signals and Songs
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/25/1998
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.7/1081 votes#7 - Finding Partners
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 12/2/1998
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.7/1083 votes#8 - The Demands of the Egg
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 12/9/1998
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.5/1078 votes#9 - The Problems of Parenthood
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/16/1998
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.7/1082 votes#10 - The Limits of Endurance
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/23/1998
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of The Life of Birds Season 1
Every episode of The Life of Birds Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Life of Birds Season 1!
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...
Genre:Documentary
Network:BBC One
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"To Fly or Not to Fly?" is the best rated episode of "The Life of Birds" season 1. It scored 8.7/10 based on 97 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 10/21/1998. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Mastery of Flight".