All language subtitles for Earthflight.S01.E05.1080p.Bluray.AAC.2.0.x265-LION

It's a universal dream to fly like a bird...

...to soar on wings into the heavens.

But it's nothing compared to the reality.

This is our planet seen as never before.

A bird's-eye view.

Theirs is a journey that covers the world...

...filled with astonishing natural events...

...extreme challenges...

...and hard-won rewards.

This is the world on the wing.

It's autumn across the Northern Steppes of Asia,

and flocks of demoiselle cranes
are heading south for the winter.

It's a race against time as they must reach India
before winter closes in.

Blocking their path is the Himalayas,
the highest mountain range on earth.

It's a barrier that extends for 1500 miles
and in places soars five miles high.

Flying over the top isn't an option.

The only way through
is a treacherous maze of valleys and canyons.

Each year thousands of cranes negotiate a pass
that leads them 200 miles to the other side.

They have a huge challenge ahead of them.

Many will not make it out alive.

Already they face danger-
bad weather is closing in.

They gain height to face the challenge,
but they're battling against a head wind.

No matter how hard they try
they make little progress.

It's the last thing they need
so early in their journey.

The wind stops them in their tracks,

forcing them to fly lower and lower.

On the valley floor villages nestle
in the most sheltered spots.

It's here that the cranes find refuge.

They mustn't hang around for long.

If winter comes early
they won't make it out alive.

These cranes aren't the only ones
attempting the journey.

Above are some of nature's
most skilled high-fliers.

Five miles above the face of the earth

bar-headed geese take on the Himalayas...
the hard way.

Here the temperature plummets
to minus 40 degrees

and the air is so thin
most animals would die within minutes.

But these extreme aeronauts
take it in their stride.

They could climb to twice this height
and still survive.

Their blood can absorb oxygen
better than any other bird,

a real help in this rarefied air.

Bar-headed geese cross the vast
mountain range in just a few hours.

Ahead lies their winter destination,
the warm lowlands of the Indian subcontinent.

They've spent the summer on the
sparsely inhabited steppes of Siberia.

Now they are heading for the
second most populated country on earth.

The Blue City of Jodhpur in Rajasthan

is one of the first landmarks
that migrating birds encounter.

Long-legged buzzards
are among the early arrivals,

and they are desperately in need of a meal.

Compared to the barren steppes,

this landscape of roads and buildings
is actually a land of plenty.

The famous Mehrangarh Fort
is home to the buzzard's favourite prey.

By gaining height
he can study their movements.

Pigeons love this ancient citadel.

Their ancestors
would have nested on cliff faces.

Nowadays, these battlements offer
superior accommodation.

But even in the midst of the city
the pigeons can't escape their natural predators.

The buzzard dives at the masses.

The pigeons take evasive action,
falling like leaves.

A single bird makes a far easier target.

But he drops out of reach.

The fort's defences provide vital bolt holes.

But he's not called the long-legged buzzard
for nothing.

Although all he gets this time
is a fistful of feathers.

He checks another pigeonhole.

But nothing.

He's spoilt for choice.
So many pigeons, but which one to go for?

The pigeons all use the same tactic.
He needs to up his game.

He soars high to find a likely victim.

And dives at over 100 mph.

It will be a welcome meal
after such a long journey to get here.

Pigeons have succeeded
by learning to adapt to our way of life.

They are now found on every continent
except Antarctica.

As well as a few humble pigeons,

Australia boasts a colourful selection of native
birds that have also taken to urban living.

More species of parrot live here
than in any other continent -

a dazzling array of over 50 varieties.

As well as in Sydney, rainbow lorikeets
are found all along Australia's east coast.

The popular Gold Coast is also one of
their favourite locations.

These cheeky birds
have adapted their lifestyle to our own

and now prefer the sweet delights
of city parks and gardens.

They can't resist ripe fruit,
especially the cultivated varieties.

After a spot of scrumping
their thoughts turn to romance.

The males try to impress the opposite sex
by clowning around.

It usually works. Parrots have proved
very successful at breeding in our backyard.

Even in the outback parrots have multiplied
by living on our free handouts.

Cockatoos - thousands upon thousands of them.

They form huge raiding parties,
laying waste the farms and agricultural fields

that bring riches to an otherwise barren land.

A life of petty theft means living on their wits.

They are the most intelligent pest
a farmer is likely to encounter.

But one of the most familiar parrots of all
lives a blameless existence,

right in the heart of the outback.

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock,
lies at the very centre of the continent.

It's remote spots like these
that the budgerigar calls home.

This tiny parrot
is the most popular of all pet birds,

but in the wild it lives far from human company
in some of the driest parts of the outback.

For much of the time they flit around
in small groups, just a few hundred strong,

sharing information on where
the best food and water can be found.

These small search parties
look for the wild grass seeds

that make up the budgie's staple diet.

Grazing animals such as kangaroos show where ripe grasses are
most likely to be found.

The budgies also watch what other flocks
of birds are getting up to.

Gradually the merry band gathers followers.

Soon it numbers many thousands.

Then it grows to millions.

This is one of the largest flocks of budgerigars
ever seen.

They now act like a super-organism,

pooling their knowledge
to find the best sources of food and water.

With so many minds working together, they have an overview of vast
areas of the outback.

And finally they hit the jackpot...

...a remote waterhole.

Wave upon wave take turns to drink.

Each bird has just seconds
to swallow what it can

before another drops in to take its place.

But wherever birds gather...
so do their predators.

Black falcons take up residence,

confident that each day
food will land right on their doorstep.

But thirsty budgerigars
give them a run for their money.

Budgies can perform some of the fastest
manoeuvres of any bird.

They are so skilled
they even sneak in a drink between attacks.

It drops like a stone just before the grab.

Again it falls just out of reach.

Turning on a dime
it out flies the falcon time and time again.

Despite their best efforts
the falcon and his partner go hungry.

A waterhole gives the budgies a break
from wandering.

But once the local grasses
have been plundered,

the huge flocks will split into
small roaming parties once more.

Back in the Himalayas the weather has cleared.

The downed cranes have survived the days of
bad weather by raiding farmers' fields.

Himalayan villages have inadvertently become
a lifeline for migrating birds that run out of luck.

But the cranes' presence isn't welcomed here.

The travellers are pushed
further down the valley.

As the sun appears,
the dry riverbed creates eddies of rising hot air.

They feel the welcome breeze
and open their wings to catch it.

The demoiselles begin to levitate upwards
as if by magic.

With clear skies and a light wind
it seems their luck has changed.

But before them lies an even greater challenge,
a Himalayan valley of death.

Here airborne predators patrol the canyon walls.

They've been expecting the cranes.

Golden eagles
are among the waiting birds of prey.

They launch a high-speed ambush
from the heavens.

The eagle singles out an exhausted crane.

The eagle is part of a double act.

Driving the crane into the talons of her mate.

They're well-practised at this manoeuvre.

For the pair, it's now a game.

The rest of the flock make their escape.

But these hills have other eyes.

Peregrine and laggar falcons
are the next big challenge.

Half the crane's size they rely on speed
and sheer force of impact to kill.

But the crane reacts by dropping away,
reducing the speed of any collision.

The falcon's only hope is to knock it off balance.

This young crane isn't out of the woods yet.

She has been separated from her family
and is alone and exhausted.

Above,
Himalayan vultures are starting to gather.

At this time of year they make a good living
from birds that perish on migration.

She'll need all the luck she can get
if she's ever to see India.

The remote Himalayas aren't the only place
vultures can be found.

Back in Rajasthan these scavengers
can make a living without leaving town.

Vultures were once a common sight over India.

Today Jodhpur is one of the few cities
where they still make a home.

Indian vultures now mostly live on road kill.

But if this fails
they'll find food the old-fashioned way -

waiting for one of India's most famous hunters
to provide a meal.

They can fly for miles with hardly a wing flap.

The vulture's keen vision
spots a tiger on the prowl.

Deer are a tiger's favourite prey.

And running deer ring the dinner bell.

Dinner is served.

But a vulture won't risk landing
while the owner's around.

They gather and wait their turn.

But suddenly the tiger ups and leaves her prey.

She must have other things on her mind.

The vultures won't waste
this golden opportunity.

But the reason the tigress left
soon becomes clear.

She has young cubs.

At three months old
the cubs have started to eat meat.

It's time to give them a treat-
if there's any left that is.

The vultures are good at bolting their food
and retreating when the rightful owners arrive.

This is no time for heroics.

The tigress returns just in time.
Her cubs won't go hungry today.

Back in civilisation, the pigeons are also
on the hunt for any scraps they can find.

Their travels take them over some of the most
magnificent sights in this part of India.

The Palace of Winds in Jaipur.

The Lake Palace of Udaipur.

A favourite destination is one of the hundreds
of temples that abound here.

Below, a stream of people are arriving
bearing gifts of food.

Here pigeons should reach Nirvana.

But these offerings are not for lowly pigeons,
they are for another scavenger -

one revered by the visitors.

Black rats!

Over 6,000 live in Deshnok temple.

They are protected by the local people, who
believe the rats are their reincarnated ancestors.

It's tantalising for the pigeons,
as it's the black rats that get all the gifts.

The rats enjoy their elevated status and feel
confident enough to chase off the competition.

To get a meal, pigeons must snatch it
from under the noses of these exalted beings.

If they can dodge the rats,
there's plenty of food to be had.

But this is easier said than done.

Males box and fight each other for mating rights.

There are rats everywhere,
chasing each other and creating utter chaos.

And there's only so much a pigeon can take.

Having snatched some crumbs from
the holy one's table they take a break outside.

But the temple forecourt has its own hazards.

A steppe eagle is on the prowl.

But this time
the pigeons have some extra muscle.

Hooded crows act as their bodyguards.

They intercept anything
that invades their airspace.

They work as a mob,
taking turns to harass the eagle.

One nearly lands on its back.

Eagles depend on surprise.

Once he's been rumbled he knows
he stands little chance of making a kill.

With the eagle sent packing, the pigeons
resume their never-ending quest for scraps.

Back in the Himalayas,
the young crane is on borrowed time.

Overhead,
lammergeiers join the other circling vultures.

It would be suicide for the crane
to continue the journey alone.

She doesn't know the way.

The scavengers have decided
her days are numbered.

But the migration season isn't over yet.

Suddenly, another flock,
delayed by the weather, appears on the horizon.

It's just the help she needs.

With them she'll find safety in numbers.

Together they continue onwards
through the pass.

The worst part of the crane's journey
is now over.

Once the cranes put the Himalayas behind
them, the final hurdle is the Great Thar Desert,

a band stretching from Pakistan
across Northwest India.

A procession makes its way
across the drifting sands.

These camel trains are just the start
of something far bigger.

Pushkar Fair - the greatest gathering
of camels anywhere on earth.

Here these "ships of the desert"
are traded by local tribes.

But, of course, wherever people gather,
so do the pigeons.

With so much animal feed around,
this isn't their greatest challenge.

In fact, for the next five days
they will have everything they could wish for.

They just have to learn
the camels' feeding times.

Pigeons are endlessly adaptable.
It's the secret of their success.

For most of the time these pigeons
scrape a living in desert towns,

but once the yearly fair arrives
they join in the festivities.

But everything comes with a price.

A feral cat is on the prowl.

This is no domestic moggy.
Her hunting skills are essential for survival.

At first it all seems just too easy.

But she soon realises she must raise her game.

Her hunting skills are as good as any tiger.

They may not escape predators all the time,
but by adapting to every aspect of human life,

pigeons have become one of the most
successful species on the planet.

The mysterious, ancient landscape of China.

The people here have a long association
with some special birds that arrive each year.

Swallows and swifts
have been revered down the ages

as bringers of peace and tranquillity.

They are one of the very few animals
that are welcomed into people's homes.

Red-rumped swallows use the mud at the edge
of paddy fields to construct their nests,

but as payback for being allowed to nest,
the birds return the favour.

The swallows hunt along the forested hillsides
and rice fields for food,

ridding the countryside of crop pests
and biting insects.

They are found throughout China.

Many nest on the watchtowers of the Great Wall.

Down the centuries,
swifts have even been encouraged to nest

in the ancient eaves of the Forbidden City
in Beijing - a tradition that continues today.

And amid the modern chaos
of the ancient city of Xi'an,

it's the ancient bell towers that swifts use
to make their home.

Here they act as pest-controllers
catching the wood-boring insects

that could destroy these revered buildings.

Their labours are repaid
by tolerance and respect.

Also in the Orient, Japan has taken
other species of migrating birds to its heart.

The onset of winter marks the arrival of whooper
swans to the northern island of Hokkaido.

They too are escaping the even harsher winters
found in Siberia.

They have travelled 2,000 miles to get here.

But they have a problem.
The lake they are returning to is frozen.

They are one of the world's heaviest flying birds

and they usually rely on water
to cushion their landing.

Landing on ice requires
an unfamiliar set of skills.

Each bird has to rapidly devise
his own technique.

It's like water skiers
trying to use their skis on snow.

The huge webbed feet
are mainly used as paddles,

but they also help spread the load
when landing on water.

On ice they just get in the way.

It can easily go horribly wrong.

Where the ice has thawed,
the swans make a more controlled landing.

The water is warmed by hot springs from below,
so it rarely freezes completely.

It has become the favourite winter wonderland
for most of the swans in Japan.

They know that there will always be
open water somewhere.

Whooper swans pair for life,
and couples celebrate their arrival.

But this doesn't stop single males
trying to muscle in.

Soon peace is restored.

The strength of the swans' relationship

is displayed through the symmetry
of their greeting.

Above their heads
Japan's most revered bird is also arriving.

Japanese cranes.

The arrival of the cranes has been considered
a symbol of good luck and fidelity for centuries.

They are so admired,

every winter the local people venture out
onto the ice to feed them fish -

a welcome handout in harsh times.

These gifts of kindness
have seen the population of cranes grow

from just 33 in 1952 to over 1200 today.

It's now such a prime spot
many have stopped migrating altogether.

The local crows have grown in number too.

But it's not all Zen serenity.

A red fox.

He can easily tackle a full grown crane.

But the fox is not their only concern.

White-tailed eagles are gathering too.

In winter, these bird-hunters move inland
from the coast.

Then the emperor of eagles arrives, a Steller's,
one of the biggest eagles in the world.

The cranes are hopelessly outnumbered
by some of their worst enemies.

But none try to get away. These brave birds
are quite prepared to stand their ground.

They know they are not the eagles' real target.

For here a strange alliance has developed.

The predators have learnt to scavenge
on the free handouts meant for the cranes.

In this surreal gathering, predators lay down
their arms and call a truce with their former prey.

It's a strange and temporary amnesty
but one in which everyone benefits.

The change of behaviour of all these birds

is brought on by the nation's love
of the Japanese crane.

Back in India, migrating demoiselle cranes

have also gained from the kindness
of the local people.

They've travelled 2,000 miles to reach here.

In the past,
many would have spread out across India.

But today, 9,000 of these wetland birds

choose to converge on a town
in the heart of the desert.

It's the last place on earth
you would expect them to go.

They circle over the town of Khichan,
waiting for a sign.

And then below, in a barbed wire compound,
a local man scatters grain.

As ever,
the pigeons won't miss out on a free lunch,

even if the offerings aren't for them.

But it's the cranes
that the villagers want to attract

and these visitors
could hardly be more welcome.

These normally timid birds descend among
the villagers to collect their reward.

Like the Japanese, the people here
treasure the return of the cranes,

scattering grain each day
to encourage them down.

What was once a quick desert stop-over
has become a place to spend the entire winter.

The cranes have even changed their migration
routes to converge on this welcoming spot.

They have been fed here for decades
and in the very centre of this desert town

they know they can find safe haven.

Now so many birds come here they consume
an extraordinary 5,000 kilos of grain each day.

The compound has been built
for their protection.

And on the other side of the fence
a second shift of cranes waits in the wings.

Each knows its allotted dinner time.

When those inside have had their fill
they change places,

leaping back over the fence
and allowing the second sitting to begin.

In this most unlikely of places one of the
greatest bird spectacles on earth can be found.

It's a gathering that only exists
because of the villagers' devotion to the birds.

Back in Japan, tranquillity has been restored.

The cranes begin one of the most intricate
and beautiful courtship dances in the world.

Japanese cranes can live for 60 years or more,

making their partnerships
among the most enduring of any bird.

These dances keep their relationship strong.

It's an event that has been encouraged by
a special partnership between birds and people.

It's relationships like these
that have sustained countless species,

from the parrots of Australia,
to the vultures of Jodhpur.

Even the humble pigeon finds sanctuary
wherever man makes his home.

Next time we will look at the close relationships
between birds and people

that allowed Earthflight to spread its wings
and fly across the world.