Watch The Scientific Wonder of Birds

The Scientific Wonder of Birds is an educational and informative show from The Great Courses Signature Collection that features bird expert Bruce E. Fleury. This series aims to explore the fascinating world of birds and their behavior while providing insights into their unique anatomies.

Throughout the course, Fleury provides viewers with a deep understanding of everything from the anatomy of birds to the way they mate, nest and migrate to their communication systems. In addition, he highlights the essential roles played by birds in the environment and discusses critical topics such as bird population conservation and preserving habitats for these beautiful creatures.

With Fleury as the primary host, The Scientific Wonder of Birds is a thrilling course for bird enthusiasts, naturalists, and anyone interested in the natural world. The show consists of 24 lectures, each around 30 minutes long, with Fleury taking students on a detailed exploration of vital topics related to the avian world.

The series begins with an overview of bird anatomy, where Fleury provides detailed information about feathers, beaks, wings, and other key features that differentiate birds from other animals. The course then moves into identifying differences between species and covers the various adaptations that birds have developed to thrive in different environments. This part of the course is fascinating for anyone curious about the reasons why birds are such successful and ubiquitous creatures.

Fleury's next set of lectures focus on bird behavior, a cornerstone of the series. He dives deep into the study of bird communication - vocalizations, body language, sounds, and more - to understand the complexity of their communication system. Additionally, in these lectures, Fleury explores how different bird species engage in courtship, mating, and nesting.

Moving further into the series, Fleury covers the migratory patterns of birds, one of the most impressive and studied phenomenons in ornithology. He utilizes satellite tracking technology and discusses migration paths across different continents. This segment also delves into how birds prepare for migration, the various challenges they face, and the critical rest stops they require along their path.

The rest of the course focuses on the birds' roles in the environment, including scavengers, predators, and, of course, pollinators. Fleury explains how different bird species interact with their environment, plants, and other creatures, and the effects that human activities like urbanization and global warming have on bird populations. This section brings an essential conservation message, highlighting the need for everyone to work together to protect our environment and the many species we share it with, including birds.

Overall, The Scientific Wonder of Birds provides an extensive overview of the avian world, from their anatomy to their behavior, migration to their essential roles in nature. Bruce E. Fleury is an engaging and passionate host, making the series fascinating and engaging for those interested in birds, students of ornithology, and anyone who loves the natural world. The show provides a great balance of information and entertainment, with beautiful footage of birds that can appeal to audiences of all ages. From understanding how birds evolved to exploring their complex communication system, this course is a great way to learn about our feathered friends and better understand the world around us.

The Scientific Wonder of Birds is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between November 9, 2018 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection