Docu-series Offers Bird’s-Eye View of, Well, Birds

Did you ever wonder what the world looks like through a bird’s eyes? Now is your chance to find out. Beginning on Sep. 4, and for six consecutive Wednesdays, PBS will air a special Nature miniseries called “Earthflight.” (Check your local listings for exact times. Not in the U.S.? After each episode airs, you’ll be able to stream it at pbs.org/nature.)

From the comfort of your own living room (or wherever your TV is), you’ll be able to essentially peer over the shoulders of birds as they fly, and see what they see. The series, which was four years in the making, follows birds across six continents, from eagles in North America to hummingbirds in South America, cockatoos in Australia, cranes in Asia, and flamingos in Africa. (And many more!)

The sixth episode of the series provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the filmmakers got the shots. Some of the methods are pretty ingenious, including fitting trained birds with tiny HD cameras, employing radio-controlled drones, and even filming from paragliders. The result appears to be a chance to birdwatch as you never have before—namely, from the perspective of fellow birds. How cool is that?

Above, Snow Geese approach the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Below, Common Cranes soar over Chateau Chenonceau in France. Both images by John Downer Productions and courtesy of PBS/Nature.