Watch David Attenborough's Conquest of the Skies

Name: David Attenborough's Conquest of the Skies
Genre: Documentary & Biography, Mini-Series, Nature
Released: 2016-04-06
Cast: David Attenborough

2016
1 Season
8.2 (574)

David Attenborough's Conquest of the Skies is an awe-inspiring documentary series that follows the journey of various winged creatures as they take to the skies. With narration by renowned British naturalist and broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, this series explores the world of flight, examining the physical and biological adaptations that have allowed birds, insects, and other creatures to conquer the air.

Divided into three episodes, Conquest of the Skies takes viewers on a breathtaking journey through the evolution of flight. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of flight - hovering, gliding, and soaring - and features stunning footage of birds, bats, insects, and even flying fish, as they navigate their way through the air.

The series is full of fascinating scientific insights, presenting viewers with the latest research on flight and diving deeper into the mechanics of flight. From the intricate structures of butterfly wings to the aerodynamics of bird wings, Attenborough unpacks the complex systems that keep creatures in the air.

One of the standout aspects of the series is the use of cutting-edge technology to capture stunning footage of flying creatures. From camera drones to high-speed cameras, the production team utilizes an impressive array of equipment to capture these aerial feats in vivid detail. Viewers will witness breathtaking scenes, such as thousands of monarch butterflies taking flight in Mexico, or an osprey plunging into the water to catch its prey.

One of the most captivating segments of the series explores the world of bats. Viewers will be amazed by footage of these nocturnal creatures flying through the darkness, using echolocation to navigate their environment. Attenborough delves into the biology of bats, examining their fascinating adaptations, including their wings, which are made from skin stretched over elongated fingers.

In addition to exploring the wonders of flight, Conquest of the Skies also highlights the importance of these creatures in our ecosystem. The series illustrates how each species adapts to survive and fulfill its unique niche in the food chain.

Overall, Conquest of the Skies is a must-see for nature lovers and science enthusiasts alike. With stunning visuals and Attenborough's trademark narration, this documentary series will take you on an unforgettable journey through the skies. It is a testament to the wonders of nature and the extraordinary creatures that inhabit our world.

David Attenborough's Conquest of the Skies is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between April 6, 2016 and on Smithsonian

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Seasons

3. Triumph

April 6, 2016

The concluding episode to David Attenborough's hit 3D documentary starts with the famous naturalist watching some vultures soar around a Spanish gorge. He then travels to Rome, where he sees peregrine falcons hunt starling flocks. After that, he journeys to Ecuador, where he studies some hummingbirds as they abnormally hover over some flowers. His voyage soon takes him back to England, where he looks on as barn owls hunt mice in the cornfields. Finally, he ends his epic adventure in Borneo, as he is caught in a bird/bat/insect crossfire. He survives to recap on the history of flight, with the insects taking to the air around 300 million years ago, before the reptilian pterosaurs arrive and grow to gigantic sizes. Then, a branch of the dinosaurs becomes the legendary Microraptor, who dominates the Chinese forests. These feathered dragons led to the arrival of the birds, who went on to become the aerodynamic kings. However, the bats came to battle the birds and soon a three-way aerodynamic war existed. David Attenborough finishes his show by stating that this aerodynamic war still goes on today. The series ends as he slowly walks away on a rope bridge.

2. Rivals

April 6, 2016

The episode begins with David Attenborough explaining how insects had the skies to themselves for millions of years - when a pterosaur suddenly arrives on the scene and eats a dragonfly. David Attenborough tells the viewers that the pterosaur's name is Dimorphodon. He travels back in time and watches the pterosaurs evolve into truly humongous behemoths like the late Quetzalcoatlus. Some pterosaurs even sported colourful crests that could have been used to attract mates. However, the pterosaurs had to share the skies with some remarkable flying dinosaurs like Microraptor. From these feathered flyers evolved the birds, who survived the K-Pg mass extinction. Some, like the swans, could gracefully fly at 30mph as David Attenborough shows when he tracks their progress on a boat. But then the mammals managed to lift themselves up, like the nocturnal bats. The battle between the birds and the bats for aerial supremacy soon began, and David Attenborough says that in the concluding episode, he will study the Aerodynamic War.

1. The First to Fly

April 6, 2016

The episode starts with David Attenborough talking about dragonflies and how the first flyers evolved. Then he goes to the Jungles of Borneo where he witnesses how stag beetles take to the air. Finally, he travels to London where some bluebottle flies feast on his dinner. He explains how the everyday fly can turn and twist in a dazzling show of aerodynamics.

Description

Where to Watch David Attenborough's Conquest of the Skies

David Attenborough's Conquest of the Skies is available for streaming on the Smithsonian website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch David Attenborough's Conquest of the Skies on demand at Amazon Prime.