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 Video - FilmsWildlife and Plant Species: BirdsNote: The title is followed by the length, producer, distributor (if different from producer), and year film was made. Unless otherwise noted, the videos listed below are VHS format. Many are available in Beta, 16mm and other formats. Some are on laser disks.
+ Indicates video sold or rented with teacher’s instruction guide.
"Anna and the Honey-Buzzards." 30 minutes. Yorkshire Television, UK. 1993.
The shooting of migratory birds as they fly through southern Italy is a tradition that continues in spite of legal bans. A brave Italian woman confronted the hunters to protect Honey‑Buzzard hawks and other birds. Hunters shoot them by the thousands from hillside bunkers, considering it a "sport," accompanied by drinking. Local authorities were afraid to act against the hunters and, in fact, some were hunters themselves. Anna shouts at them, making them leave the bunkers, and is joined by conservationists who travel from all over Europe during the migration season. They patrol the hills for illegal hunters and keep watch for many weeks until the migration ends. Because of her campaign, many more of these birds are surviving their trip through Italy for the first time in generations.
"The Bald Eagle in New Jersey." 30 minutes. New Jersey Outdoor Series. New Jersey Network. 1989.
The story of the reestablishment of the magnificent Bald Eagle in New Jersey is the topic. The state wildlife department has been active in bringing back the species through introduction of Canadian birds and captive-produced eggs.
"Bird of Happiness." 60 minutes. Nature. PBS. WNET. 1987.
This film is one of a three‑part series, "In the Shadow of Fujisan," that focuses on Japan's wildlife and environment. The "Bird of Happiness" is the Japanese or Red‑crowned Crane, one of the most endangered of all birds. Its survival in this crowded country depends on the good will and conservation of the people, who look upon it as a sacred bird, prominent in their folklore for thousands of years. Because of protection, this once widespread bird has increased from only 20 birds in the 1920s to about 600 through artificial feeding and protection of its remaining habitat on the island of Hokkaido. The species also has breeding populations on mainland Asia. By 2000, the species totaled about 2,200 birds, making it a very rare species.
"Birds of Paradox." 60 minutes. Nature. PBS. BBC. WNET. 1983.
The flightless birds of the world are the focus of this excellent film, which shows some of the most endangered and unusual species in the world. The flightless Kakapo parrot of New Zealand is near extinction. Many other rare birds are shown, including the New Caledonian Kagu in its strange courtship display, a species so unusual it is the only member of its avian family, Rhynochetidae. Flightless rails inhabit various islands in the Pacific, and this is the first filming of the Okinawa Rail, a species recently discovered. The extermination of the moas and Dodo at the hand of man and the extreme vulnerability of flightless birds to extinction are illustrated dramatically. This film gives an intelligent view of the evolution of flightless birds, the causes of their disappearance and the large number that are endangered.
"Birds of the Arctic Tundra." 25 minutes. Profiles of Nature. Phoenix/BFA Films. 1985.
The majority of North America's shorebirds breed on the tundra of northern Canada and Alaska. Plovers, sandpipers, curlews and other species fly great distances in migration and return unerringly to their place of birth. This film shows the beauty of the habitat and many of the ground‑nesting birds, which must defend their young against a variety of predators from foxes to skuas and Gyrfalcons. The beautiful Snowy Owls also breed on the tundra, feeding on small rodents. Some shorebirds have beautifully patterned plumage in shades of brown, while others are rusty red or streaked with black. Other types of birds breed on the tundra as well, from tiny sparrows, grebes and delicate phalaropes to eider ducks, Snow, Canada and Brant Geese. Shorebirds have declined dramatically over the past several decades from a variety of causes (see "Messages from the Birds," reviewed below).
"The Black Stilt." 50 minutes. Wild South Series. Wombat Film & Video. 1986.
This series of films treats the various endangered species of New Zealand and their survival. The Black Stilt is the rarest wading bird in the country, having declined from drainage of its nesting areas in a high inland valley on South Island, dam construction and predation by cats and ferrets. Its breeding population in 2000 numbered only 40 birds, making its status critical.
"Colony Z." 24 minutes. The Wild South Series. Wombat Film & Video. 1986.
The Yellow‑eyed Penguins of Otago Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand are the focus of a long‑term study. These penguins are now among the most endangered of all penguin species.
"Crane Hunters of Pakistan." 28 minutes. Centre Communications. 1989.
This film depicts the traditional crane hunting of Pakistan and how conservationists are trying to turn the hunters into protectors.
"Crane River." 60 minutes. National Audubon Society. PBS Video. 1988.
The hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Cranes that form one of America's greatest wildlife spectacles are threatened by water projects on the Platte River in Nebraska, a major stopover for the birds.
"Eagles: The Majestic Hunters." 60 minutes. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Films for the Arts and Humanities. 1992.
This film surveys many of the world's eagles, their breeding, feeding, habitat and survival. It is one of the few films to show the highly endangered Philippine Eagle (formerly known as the Monkey‑eating Eagle) feeding and nesting in the last remnants of tropical forest on these islands. The reintroduction of the White‑tailed Sea Eagle in Great Britain and of the Bald Eagle in parts of the United States are among conservation projects shown. The modification of electric poles to prevent electrocutions has saved the lives of many eagles and should be used far more in the United States. Prejudice and misinformation are still responsible for poisonings and shootings of these magnificent birds of prey, made dramatic by the sight of rows of dead Australian Wedge‑tailed Eagles nailed to fence posts after being shot by sheep farmers. David Attenborough's narration enhances this fine film.
"The Hummingbird." 25 minutes. Profiles of Nature Series. Phoenix/BFA. 1985.
A beautiful film about the behavior and biology of these declining birds.
Fifty-one species of hummingbirds of the 350 or so species are now listed in Threatened Birds of the World, by BirdLife International, and few programs have been launched to aid in their conservation. These tiny birds are miracles of evolution, beating their wings faster than the eye can see to fly backwards, vertically, and forward, with far more aeronautic skill than the most advanced human-made helicopter. Their extremely rapid metabolism is fed by nectar and pollen. They pollinate flowers as they visit one after another, and their bills are adapted for feeding on specific types of flowers.
+ "Journey to Save a Crane." 30 minutes. New Explorers. Kurtis Productions. 1992.
The endangered Siberian Crane has long been part of the conservation work of the International Crane Foundation of Baraboo, Wisconsin, and its director, Dr. George Archibald. This film records one of his many trips to negotiate with biologists of China and Russia to preserve the threatened marsh habitat of these graceful birds and study their movements through radio telemetry. The first steps have been taken toward reestablishing the nearly extinct western flock of these birds that once wintered in India. During the 1980s, they were shot by hunters and rebel soldiers as they migrated over Pakistan and Afghanistan. Dr. Archibald is extremely adept at convincing governments to set aside habitat for many of the world's endangered cranes. He facilitates communication between biologists, government officials and conservationists in countries not politically friendly, but with the common goal of wanting to prevent the extinction of threatened cranes.
"Kakapo: The Night Parrot." 25 minutes. Made‑for‑Video Movie; New Dimension
Media. 1984.
Told as a fairy tale, the plight of this unique New Zealand parrot is dramatized. This is the world's heaviest parrot and the only living flightless parrot species. Its mating behavior, in which the males gather in a circle, making booming sounds, is also unique. Unfortunately, because of predation by introduced European stoats and domestic cats, it is on the verge of extinction in spite of intensive conservation programs. Winner of the International Wildlife Film Festival’s “Best in Festival.”
"Messages from the Birds." 60 minutes. National Audubon Society. Live Home Video. 1988.
The decline of shorebirds is the focus of this film, which is also designed to convey the general environmental threat from pesticides and toxic chemicals. This is one of the few films ever made of these once abundant birds, many of which have declined by 90 percent. It is well written and documents the many threats to birds that once flocked in the millions. Since the film was made, shorebird populations have continued a sharp decline.
"National Audubon Society's VideoGuides to North American Birds." Five one-hour cassettes. National Audubon Society and natural history stores.
These videos show all species in the United States and Canada for which photo documentation exists. Audiocassettes of almost all the native breeding birds are available from this organization and in many book stores. With these sources, one can obtain glimpses of endangered birds, such as the Kirtland's Warbler, Whooping Crane, Bald Eagle and California Condor, and many rare and declining species such Henslow's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Marbled Murrelet.
"On a Wing and a Song." 60 minutes. Nature of Things. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 1994.
Over the past 30 years, many beautiful songbirds of North America--warblers, thrushes, tanagers, vireos and others--have been in a decline. This excellent film explores the various causes in interviews with scientists and conservationists. The majority of declining species winter in the neotropics, and it had been assumed that the deforestation occurring in Latin America was the major cause. The film points out other causes as well. Fragmentation of forests in their North American breeding grounds has been progressing, especially in the Canadian boreal forests where many warblers and vireos breed. More than 400,000 square miles of boreal forest have been opened to logging, which is progressively destroying much breeding habitat. Another major threat is the increase in Brown‑headed Cowbirds, a parasitic species that lays eggs in the nests of warblers and thrushes. In areas with fragmented forest, 65 percent of nests are parasitized by cowbirds. In addition, it has been discovered that these birds interact with others of their species on the breeding grounds and need large areas of forest for normal breeding behavior. Collisions with skyscrapers in cities kills millions of songbirds yearly. Merely turning off the lights in these buildings would stop this problem. A prime wintering area in southern Mexico is visited, with Smithsonian biologists studying the problems of survival of our breeding birds. The fine photography captures the brilliant colors of these small birds, and the majority of eastern species appear in the film.
+ "On a Wing and a Prayer." 60 minutes. New Explorers. Kurtis Productions & WTTW. 1995.
Like the film above, the recent decline in songbird numbers is the subject. The focus is the songbirds of southern Illinois woodlands and cypress swamps. The Northern Parula and Wood Thrush are seen laying eggs that are crowded out by eggs and chicks of the Brown-headed Cowhead. The sight of tiny warbler nestlings starving in the same nest with huge cowbird chicks leaves a lasting, poignant impression. Radar-tracking of migrating flocks across the Gulf of Mexico has shown declines averaging 45 percent in the past few decades. Aerial views show deforested areas in the Midwest, and visits to tropical forests, the winter habitat of many American birds, provide visual documentation explaining the reduction of huge flocks of colorful tanagers and orioles to scattered rarities. Another cause of decline is seen with the filming of hundreds of tiny bird corpses picked up after their collisions with buildings and antennas on migration. This film differs with the one above by ending with a positive note. Habitat is being purchased along the Cache River for nesting songbirds, and Boy Scouts are helping to reseed the land with acorns to return it to hardwood forest. The photography of these extremely beautiful birds is often breathtaking. A teacher's guide and study program accompany this film.
"Parrots. Look Who's Talking." 60 minutes. Nature. PBS. BBC/WNET. 1996.
This film is a showcase for many of the world's beautiful parrots. They are seen in the wide diversity of habitats they occupy, from tropical forests where the flight of a flock of macaws inspires awe, to the dry deserts of Australia where wild Budgerigars fly and feed in enormous numbers, to the snowy slopes of New Zealand where mischievous Keas strip windshield wipers from parked cars. The magnificent male Palm Cockatoo of New Guinea and northern Australia makes a drum baton from a thick stick clipped off a bush with surgical precision and removes all small branches to whack the trunk as a mating display. This is another example of animals making tools, of which a growing number are coming to light. Alex, the famous Gray Parrot studied by Dr. Irene Pepperberg of the University of Arizona is seen performing difficult tasks differentiating the shape, size and color of objects, exhibiting conceptual thinking, previously considered the province of primates and dolphins. Both Palm Cockatoos and Gray Parrots have declined in the wild. The film alternates between footage of captive and wild parrots, but on the whole, "Parrots. Look Who's Talking," concentrates too much on pet parrots, with an endless stream of these birds singing, performing tricks and "talking." In at least one realistic example of the plight of thousands of pet parrots, the filmmakers visit a Dutch center that rescues abused and neurotic pet parrots, calling it a "parrot asylum" to indicate that these sensitive and intelligent birds can go insane in the unnatural, confining and often solitary world of captivity. Only one sentence in this film is devoted to the consumer in recommending that captive-bred--not wild-caught parrots--be bought as pets. The horrific trade in wild parrots, which causes such trauma and mortality to these beautiful birds and has placed a large number of species on endangered lists, is not mentioned. To get a more objective view of parrots in the pet trade, see "Bird Traffic," a film reviewed above, under the Wildlife Trade and Poaching section. The AWI publication, The Bird Business, and the EIA report, Flight to Extinction, are recommended. (See also the Trade chapter of this book for more information on the wild bird trade and wild parrots.)
"Parrots of Luquillo." 20 minutes. US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Forest Service. National Audiovisual Center. 1978.
The endangered Puerto Rican Parrot is one of the most threatened of all birds. When this film was made, only about 30 birds survived. By the late 1990s, there were 40 wild birds and 87 captive ones. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has had a recovery program for the species for more than 40 years, located in the remnant rainforest of Puerto Rico. Dr. Noel Snyder, a biologist who headed the project for many years, wrote and produced this film on the biology of this species. Dr. Snyder co‑wrote a book on this parrot in 1987, with the same title as the film, giving more up‑to‑date information, as well as a report on endangered parrots in 2000 (see Books and Publications section).
"Precarious Perch. The Wood Stork Story." 20 minutes. Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 1993.
North America's only native stork once numbered up to 20,000 nesting pairs in south Florida, and when wetlands north of the Everglades were drained in the 1960s, it declined precipitously. The storks have increased their range northward to Georgia and South Carolina, finding the type of habitat they require, and are slowly increasing. The film describes their life history, unusual feeding manner and habitat of small ponds and potholes. The public is requested to protect these habitat areas as crucial to the survival of the species. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which made this film, is one of the few state agencies to produce films of endangered species.
"Project Puffin." 13 minutes. Learning Corporation of America. 1982. Young adult.
The Atlantic Puffin, an extremely charming bird with distinctive, clown‑like markings, disappeared from the United States as a result of early hunting for the feather trade, persecution, overfishing of its food supply and disturbance on nesting islands. The National Audubon Society conducted a reintroduction program on a remote Maine island, bringing puffin chicks from Canada. This organization's project also included placement of lifelike dummies resembling adult puffins to make the island look like an active puffin colony. This attracted more birds, and the chicks that were fed and released from the island came back to nest. The puffins have now recolonized the island.
"Project Takahe." 30 minutes. Wild South Series. Wombat Film & Video. 1986.
The story of the rediscovery of this giant flightless rail in 1948 in the Fiordland region of New Zealand and its gradual recovery is the subject of this film. The chicken-sized Takahe lives in alpine mountain habitats, surviving on alpine plants that grow in this severe, snowy environment. In spite of decades of protection, it is still highly endangered and vulnerable to predation by introduced animals and other threats. It was once more widely distributed on the islands, and was driven to this remote habitat by introduced deer and stoats. The New Zealand Wildlife Department has done a remarkable job in controlling the exotic animals, protecting the remnant birds and transferring them to mountain valleys from which they had become extinct. They numbered fewer than 220 birds in 1998.
"Return of the Peregrine Falcon." 20 minutes. New Jersey Outdoors Series. New Jersey Network. 1989.
The reintroduction of the Peregrine Falcon from captive‑bred birds and their increase from extinction in the state to a small breeding population is the story of this state‑sponsored film.
"Seven Black Robins” and "The Robins Return." 30 minutes each. The Wild South Series. Wombat Film & Video. 1986.
The Chatham Islands' Black Robin was rescued when its population was reduced to just seven birds. This island group off New Zealand has lost many endemic species in recent history. The last surviving robins were placed on a nearby island without predators for captive breeding prior to release to the wild. The first film describes the initial program and transfer, and the second, the gradual increase in numbers of this highly endangered bird (Petroica traversi). BirdLife International reports that by 1999, this species increased to 259 birds.
"Shadow of the Condor." 60 minutes. NOVA. WGBH. 1993.
The two condor species of the world, the California and Andean, are both endangered species. Only 200 years ago, the California Condor ranged from Washington State south to Baja California, Mexico, and east to Texas. The Andean Condor was found throughout the Andes. This film concentrates on the latter species and has magnificent photography of this huge bird of prey soaring over the jagged coast of western South America. Populations of this species, although small, are still greater than those of the California Condor. The capture of the last individuals of this condor is seen. The California Condor has been reintroduced to the Grand Canyon area as well as California since this film was made.
"Song of Protest." 48 minutes. Wild South Series. Wombat Film & Video. 1986.
The destruction of New Zealand's once magnificent forests also eliminated many of its songbirds. The Kokako (Callaeas cinerea) is one of the few native birds remaining, and it is threatened by introduced mammals, such as European stoats and domestic cats, that prey on it. The film describes the efforts being made to save the species by transferring some birds to islands free of exotic species.
"Trumpeter Swans Return." 20 minutes. Berlet Films. 1989.
This film depicts the near extinction of North America's largest swan, a magnificent and beautiful bird, and the story of the establishment of a new flock in South Dakota.
"Voices in the Forest." 60 minutes. Nature. PBS. WNET. 1983.
The dazzling birds of paradise are confined to New Guinea and northern Australia, and the entire family is listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) on Appendix II, the threatened category. This film shows their variety, beauty and dramatic courtship displays and songs, as well as their capture for zoos, a conservation problem for some species. Some have been killed for their feathers or stuffed and sold to tourists, and in spite of bans in all countries where they are native (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia), an illegal trade continues. Moreover, their habitat is now being logged in Indonesia. "Attenborough in Paradise," a 1996 PBS film by BBC, shows these magnificent birds and describes their behavior and songs.
"White Water, Blue Duck." 20 minutes. Survival Anglia Productions. 1987.
The Blue Duck of New Zealand is a highly endangered species that lives in white water, fast-flowing streams. Extremely restricted in distribution, but protected and studied by the New Zealand wildlife authorities, its evolution and ecology are considered unique. The photography is excellent.
"Wood Stork. Barometer of the Everglades." 60 minutes. National Audubon Society. Live Home Video. 1989.
The decline of this species was caused by the change in water levels and loss of habitat from the massive water projects that have devastated bird populations in the Everglades. The major population of this bird is in the Everglades, and its status reflects the fact that in spite of some improvements in the distribution of water in southern Florida since this film was made, the species is still highly endangered. Its habitat requirements are very specific as to water level of ponds in which it feeds. (See also “Precarious Perch,” reviewed above.)
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