‘Earthfilght’ Recap: ‘Asia & Australia’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the fifth episode of ‘Earthflight’.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve been able to learn some incredible facts about birds and the lives they lead in the wild, all courtesy of the BBC America documentary, Earthflight. For this particular series has provided us with unprecedented access to these fine feathered fowl and that has allowed for us to see what kinds of struggles they face on a consistent basis out there in the world, all while providing us with some genuinely beautiful moments as well. For we have also seen these creatures care for their young in a tender and earnest manner and we’ve also come to learn that these animals are quite sentimental. Since they venture to the same breeding grounds on an annual basis and even keep nests in their families for generations.  
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But while it has been quite incredible to see and learn all of those things, thus far the documentary has yet to show us, in great detail, how birds cope with the fact that they share a world with mankind. Because just like birds, we are pretty much everywhere, and our cities and our world have changed the landscape of how they function. But as it turns out, the next episode in this incredible franchise took the time to dig into that. Since ‘Asia & Australia’ showed us how the migratory patterns of some birds in this part of the world, takes them through densely populated areas. And believe it not, mankind and bird tend to get along better than we could possible realize. Since sometimes we are able to help them avoid trouble during their long journeys.

For there are cranes that migrate from Siberia to the southern hemisphere and in order to reach their final destination, they have to navigate through the heart of the Himalayan mountains. Which is no easy task when one considers the fact that powerful winds blast through this massive mountain range. But somehow these cranes find a way through it and survive the predators that lurk in this area and one of the elements that helps them get through this nightmare, are people. For we have settled some parts of this harsh landscape, which allows for these cranes to just relax in civilized portions of the mountains and catch their breath, until the time arrives once again to continue their long and winding journey to their final destination.

But while it was nice to see a helping hand take place, the finest example of how well mankind and bird coexist in the modern world, came about late in this story. Since we were able to learn that in some parts of the world, birds are quite revered and respected. To the point where they are often welcomed with open arms, and the birds in those respective areas are fully aware of how welcome they are, and nest and thrive and feed there. And this high level of respect has become so engrained in some parts of the world, such as Japan, that both predator and bird alike are able to coexist in relative harmony. Since mankind goes the extra mile to ensure that everyone in that area is fed, and that made for one wondrous and thoughtful finale to this particular tale.

For it just goes to show that with a little effort, mankind can indeed peacefully coexist with just about any species out there. Provided of course we offer them respect and kindness and safety and well, seeing that in a documentary leaves one to wonder what our world would look like if we bothered to make that happen everywhere. But that is a topic for another time, and in the here and the now, it is best we celebrate another fascinating chapter in this incredible documentary. Because it was simply magical to see mankind and bird living alongside one another without a care in the world and it was equally as amazing to see how birds have adapted to the modern world over the years and well, now that we have finished our up close look at the lives of birds around the globe, it should be interesting to see how this saga wraps up next week. Since we are apparently going to learn how this beautiful story came to fruition. Until next time.

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