10 Amazing Bird Video Clips
Amazing Bird Behaviour Videos
Birds are a most amazing group of species, the closest living relatives of dinosaurs, indeed many paleontologists argue that birds are in fact avian dinosaurs; Are Birds Really Dinosaurs?
I have been watching birds since I was six years old, but it didn't take me long to see that bird behavior is complex and varied, and that birds are capable of remarkable feats of intelligence and dexterity.
The following are a collection of interesting bird video clips that show some amazing examples of bird behavior. A number of these clips of amazing birds are from the excellent BBC television series "The Life of Birds".
I am lucky enough to be a professional bird watcher and being out, observing birds, on a daily basis allows me to see some incredible bird behavior and I was delighted when I found these cool bird video clips that I will share with you.
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1. The Incredible Crazy Courtship Of A Male Bird Of Paradise
This bird video clip shows the amazing jungle boogie of a male Bird of Paradise doing his best to impress a female. Unfortunately for him, the female looks more bewildered than impressed with this example of bird behavior. I hope that he can be consoled with the fact that he has become internationally famous for his dancing skills; watch this it is incredible how he changes shape and barely even looks like a bird when he does his dance.
- Bird of Paradise
The Wikipedia entry for this group of birds. Includes a full species list. - Birds of Paradise Photo Galleries
Fantastic photos of these extraordinary birds. - Attenborough In Paradise
David Atenborough travels to Papua New Guinea to watch Birds of Paradise.
2. A Flock Of Starlings Attacked By A Peregrine Falcon
An amazing display of formation flying by a flock of Starlings whilst under bombardment by a Peregrine Falcon can be seen in the second of these bird videos. This flock-flying by Starlings is called a murmuration and is one of those wonders of nature that has to be experienced to fully appreciate.
- European Starling, Identification, All About Birds
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology page on Starlings. - Starling Talk
The care and feeding of injured and orphaned Starlings.
3. The Albatross Flying School - Learning How To Fly
Juvenile Albatrosses learrning to fly are stalked by a Tiger Shark in this bird behaviour video. These huge birds struggle to take to the air, but the shark infested waters provide an added motivation to learn quickly.
- Albatross Photos
Lots of photographs of albatrosses. - Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of the World
Identification and ecology of this group of seabirds.
4. A Male Great Hornbill Feeding His Mate
This video clip shows a male Great Hornbill passing food to his mate in Khao Yai National Park Thailand. The female hornbill is sealed into a cavity in a tree, using mud, where she broods her egg and is totally reliant on the male for food and water; an amazing example of bird behavior.
- Great Hornbill Facts
The Wikipedia entry on Great Hornbills. - Aerial casque-butting of Great Hornbills
Information on the amazing casque-butting activity of Great Hornbills.
5. The Incredible Call Of The Superb Lyrebird
This is probably my favourite bird video clip. This amazing lyrebird is able to perfectly mimic the sound of a car alarm, a camera shutter and, best of all, a chainsaw and splintering wood.
If you are not impressed by this incredible piece of bird behaviour then you should not bother with birds.
6. A Mass Of Shearwaters Gather To Feed In The Sea
In this bird video clip a huge number of Shearwaters are flocking to feed on a shoal of fish. A group of dolphins has also been attracted to the site as have a group of snorkelling humans.
- Shearwaters & Petrels
Lots of information and photographs on Sheatwarers & Petrels.
7. Keas Vandalizing An Unattended Car In New Zealand
Keas are endemic to New Zealand and a most remarkable parrot. This species lives in snowy mountains and forests and as well as eating seeds, nuts and fruit, they are partial to meat - young birds and even sheep. They are also quite famous for ripping cars apart as this amazing bird video shows.
- Kea Fact File
Kea facts from the World Parrot Trust. - Kea Conservation Trust
Conservation of Keas in the wild.
8. Eagle Aerial Battle Supreme
This is an incredible sight of two eagles fighting in mid air and tumbling towards the ground; who will be the first to let go and be "chicken"? This is one of the most spectacular bird videos.
9. Hummingbird Action On A Nectar Feeder
Some wonderful footage of Hummingbirds coming to a nectar feeder and showing off their amazing flight technique.
These are really cool birds.
- How To Attract Hummingbirds
Debbie's tips for attracting and feeding hummingbirds.
Attract hummingbirds to your own garden with these hummingbird feeders.
10. Intelligent Crow Makes And Uses A Tool
Crows are amongst the most intelligent of birds as this video clip proves. Over a course of experiments into avian intelligence this female crow consistently created a hook from a straight piece of wire to collect a food morsel from a glass tube. Quite an amazing bird video - this is one of the highest examples of animal intelligence known.
The Sneaky Shoplifting Seagull - Bonus Video Clip Number 11
Where other top ten web pages go up to ten, this one goes up to eleven! After creating this lens my attention was brought to this most amazing of bird videos where a seagull walks into a shop to steal a packet of crisps! This is so incredible and amusing that I felt that I had to include it here having already filled the top ten spots.
Vote For The Bird Video You Like The Most From My Selection
Which is The Best Bird Video Clip?
My Birding Videos on Youtube
If you enjoy watching bird videos then I have lots more on my Youtube Channel; Birding with Nick Upton.
I have a collection of bird videos that present bird behaviour, bird calls as well as videos where I take you on a virtual birding tour of a particular area. I hope you enjoy watching.
Some Great Bird-related Books Worth Reading - I Personally Recommend These
I have personally read all of the following books and I can recommend them all highly. These five bird books are all different in their style and in what they are attempting to convey; none of these are field guides.
For those who spend a lot of time watching birds I think all five of these books will be enjoyable in different ways.
I hope that you enjoyed the bird videos and perhaps this article may have got birds a few new friends. Please leave a comment on which was your favourite bird video clip.
© 2007 nickupton lm