Watch Penguins - Spy in the Huddle

Penguins - Spy in the Huddle is a fantastic nature documentary series from PBS, exploring the lives of penguins in a way that's never been done before. With engaging narration by David Tennant and the expertise of Peter Drost, this six-part series will take you on a journey into the world of penguins, revealing their fascinating behaviors and social dynamics through a unique perspective.

What makes Penguins - Spy in the Huddle stand out from other nature documentaries is the use of special animatronic cameras disguised as penguins, eggs, and rocks. These 'spies' are expertly designed to blend in with the penguins, allowing for an up-close and personal look at the lives of these wonderful creatures. Throughout the series, we follow three different species of penguins: emperor, rockhopper, and humboldt, as they go through various stages of their lifecycle, from courtship to nesting, to caring for their young.

The first episode, titled "The Journey," delves into the penguins' incredible migration, showing how the birds travel vast distances in search of better food sources or breeding grounds. Viewers are treated to some breathtaking footage of emperor penguins marching in a single file through the snow, their bellies close to the ground as they brave harsh weather conditions.

The second episode, "First Steps," explores the chick-rearing stage of the penguins' lifecycle, with the spycameras capturing hilarious moments such as a father penguin stealing pebbles from his neighbor's nest, and a rockhopper chick taking a leap of faith off a cliff. We learn about the different parenting styles of the various penguin species and see how they work together to keep their young safe and fed.

"Growing Up" is the third episode of the series, exploring the coming-of-age of the penguin chicks as they learn to fend for themselves in the harsh Antarctic environment. We see how the penguins' behavior changes as they mature, with some of them becoming more independent while others stick to their parents for protection. The episode also features some stunning underwater footage of penguins diving for food and swimming in the frigid Antarctic waters.

In "The Gathering," the fourth episode, we witness the incredible spectacle of thousands of king penguins coming together to mate and raise their young in one of the largest colonies in the world. We see how competition for mates plays out within the colony, with males fiercely protecting their breeding territories from intruders.

The fifth episode, "Return to the Colony," explores the different strategies the male penguins use to attract a mate during the breeding season, from the emperor penguin's elaborate courtship dance to the rockhopper's undignified shrieks. We also see how the female penguins select their mates, with some of them opting for males with the best nesting materials, while others go for the most over-the-top displays of affection.

Finally, in "The Great Feast," we witness the end of the penguins' breeding season, with the adults molting and their now fully-grown chicks setting off on their own. The episode showcases the challenges the penguins face when it comes to feeding themselves during the lean winter months, highlighting their incredible adaptability and resilience in the face of extreme conditions.

Overall, Penguins - Spy in the Huddle is a truly mesmerizing series that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for these incredible birds. With stunning footage, engaging narration, and a unique perspective on penguin behavior, this is a must-watch for nature lovers everywhere.

Penguins - Spy in the Huddle is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between September 24, 2014 and on PBS