The Secret Life of Birds

Season 1

Travelling from wild coastlines to urban habitats, this fascinating BBC natural history series follows host and wildlife expert Iolo Williams as he explores the behaviour of birds. This ground breaking series reveals every aspect of their lives from surviving harsh winters to avoiding deadly predators.

Where to Watch The Secret Life of Birds • Season 1

5 Episodes

Dawn Chorus
E1
Dawn ChorusIn this first episode, he investigates how and why birds communicate, looking at the reasons snipe use their tail feathers to make a very distinctive noise and what's happening when thousands of starlings participate in stunning aerial displays in Aberystwyth.
Feathering the Nest
E2
Feathering the NestIn this episode, Iolo investigates the courtship and nesting behaviour of birds, including the amazing courtship display of great crested grebes at a reservoir near Pontypool, the impressive sky dance of hen harriers in the dramatic Cambrian Mountains, how nuthatch use mud like cement to prepare their nest in a woodland near Harlech, and why long-tailed tits near Newtown are exceptional nest builders.
Living on the Edge
E3
Living on the EdgeIolo discovers the difficulties birds face in order to stay alive, and the programme includes a dramatic scene in which a sparrow hawk seizes the moment to attack a wood pigeon nest.
Living with Us
E4
Living with UsIn this fourth episode, Iolo Williams explores how birds in Wales have adapted to living alongside us, making use of our buildings, parks and gardens and even the waste we throw away. One of the most notorious urban birds is the gull and Iolo explains why these very adaptable and intelligent birds are doing so well in Cardiff.
Designed for a Welsh Life
E5
Designed for a Welsh LifeIn this final episode, Iolo explores bird design - from their ability to fly to the way that their beak design, colour and camouflage enable them to live in the many habitats Wales has to offer. Using ultra-slow motion photography, Iolo looks at how garden birds have such control over take off and landing, and explains why fulmars are one of our most supreme fliers.