‘Earthflight’ Recap: ‘South America’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for fourth episode of ‘Earthflight’.
​
Over the course of the past few weeks, the BBC America documentary, Earthflight, has done an amazing job of changing our overall perception of birds and the lives they lead. Because for the longest time we’ve viewed them as mere city park scavengers or fodder for memes on social media, when they dance to the beat of nearby music. But instead, this documentary series has helped us to learn, that these majestic creatures have their own incredible world, one where they have to fight for survival like any other animal on the planet. Plus, it has also taught us, that when left to their own devices, these fine feathered fowl have established patterns and traditions. To the point where they even have breeding grounds that they’ve kept in their families for generations. 
​
Which is fascinating and stunning to say the least. Because our perception of these winged creatures makes it seem as though they aren’t capable of much more than assembling a simple nest once a year. But it just goes to show how little we know about birds, and coming to discover that they have traditions in this manner, leaves one to wonder just how extensive that kind of behavior is in the wild and thankfully… this documentary wasted no time in exploring that, after introducing this pleasant surprise to us in last week’s episode. For ‘South America’ took the time to dive deep into unfettered family behavior when it comes to birds and that made this particular tale quite fascinating to say the least. Because it turns out that some of the birds in this part of the world make teaching and learning, quite the priority for their young.

Take the Andes Condor for instance. For this grand predator, one that is respected and revered by every other bird of prey in this part of the world, is quite the family bird. For high up in the mountains, where the winds help this majestic and incredible creature soar, are its nests. Where its children grow and are nurtured for several years until they are finally ready to take flight and when they do, it is quite the ceremonious day. For both mother and father take part in teaching the chick how to fly, to the point where the momma bird will straight up motivate her baby to take to the skies and once they do, wonderful moments take place. For often times dear old dad will soar alongside his offspring and help them learn the nuances and wonder of flight and it was just beautiful and breathtaking to watch this take place since it is a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight. 

Yet while it was truly a sight to behold, the condor isn’t the only bird in this part of the world that takes the time to teach its young the finer points of living in paradise. For the Macaw is another bird that makes learning a priority for their offspring. Since they help them to discover all of the tasty treats of the Amazon, whether they are safe to eat or not. In large part because, one never knows where one’s meal is going to come from when living in the wild, but also because this vast jungle offers up all kinds of antidotes for a sour meal. And in keeping with the theme of tradition and learning, the Macaw will often take their young to natural ‘pharmacies’ in the jungle so that they can heal from their bad meal and learn of these locations, in order to pass this knowledge on to their young someday, and there is something supremely comforting and powerful about seeing animals take the time to teach their young how to thrive in this manner.

For it serves as a fine reminder that while the world can be a cruel and violent place at times, it can also be quite gentle and quite beautiful. And it is just wonderful to know that birds offer the same kindness and gentleness that so many other species do when it comes to raising and caring for their young, and that makes this particular chapter in his documentary quite heartwarming for certain. Because you simply cannot help but be touched by seeing that kind of wonderful behavior on display and truly it is obvious now that this particular documentary is going to continue to surprise us in every way imaginable. Because it continues to provide us with incredible lessons and discoveries about creatures that clearly deserve greater scrutiny and now that our grand adventure through South America has come to a close, one has to wonder what other surprises await us on our next destination of this avian tour; Australia and Asia. Until next time.

---