Rating: 
Summary: Watch the DVD, and then get the book...
Review: I first watched this incredible documentary on PBS, video recorder running every single time. Eventually I decided to get the book that accompanies the series. What an understatement!--the book is a definite stand-alone for those of you who prefer to read. So here is what I recommend to anybody who is even remotely interested in nature documentaries: Buy and watch the DVD, and then, if you're as hooked as I was, do yourself a favor and buy the book. Sir David Attenborough's voice literally jumps off the pages with every single word, which makes for a very entertaining read. But I found that there was a lot of information that I had missed when I watched the series. Upon reading the book, I was amazed at how much I had learned without even realizing it. Little tidbits such as: what purpose do egg shapes serve, how does a mother bird know which squawker to feed next, etc., etc. Marvelous info, incredible photography, a must see/read for any bird enthusiast, and a treat for the rest of you who don't know as of yet that you may well become one... It doesn't matter that our garden bird varieties aren't mentioned in particular, because watching and reading about birds will open your eyes and ears to the birds around you and make you appreciate them for the biological wonders they truly are. -- Oh, and yes, I upgraded to the DVD and gave the tapes to a good friend.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating!
Review: I have been watching this series on my local PBS station, and it's become the absolute highlight of my week. Attenborough himself is avuncular, charming and witty, as well as incredibly knowledgeable. His camera crew go to extreme lengths to ensure top-notch photography.Don't miss the lyre-bird!
Rating:
Summary: The Life of Birds
Review: I have never been an avid birdwatcher and never paid attention to this animal prior to this awesome documentary series, i.e., The Life of Birds DVD. This is nature shows at its best. The narration is stupendous and the photography is outstanding.
Rating: 
Summary: subject matter: fascinating, video quality: dreadful
Review: I own everything David Attenborough has ever done -- I have the utmost respect for his work. Life of Birds is fascinating, well-composed, informative, etc.
But the video quality (I have it on DVD) is absolutely dreadful. Grainy and washed out like very early digital video (I wonder if it was shot on digital video to make it easier to get some of the amazing footage he captured). By comparison, the look of Life of Mammals is breathtaking -- the composition of shots, color, lighting, and overall vividness is a hundred times better than Life of Birds.
It's quite distracting, and disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: please put this out in DVD!
Review: I really want to buy this wonderful series for my brother for Christmas, but am wondering if it's coming out in DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Watch this series
Review: I wasn't interested in birds when I recieved this series as a gift. But it is so remarkably well done that I'd recommend it to anyone, bird lover or not. Attenborough's talent is to present fairly detailed information in a very interesting fashion. He doesn't fail us in this series...the photography is remarkable as well. Perhaps the most remarkable footage is of a bird that does a convincing imitation of a camera shutter, a car alarm, and a chainsaw. You must see and hear to believe.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece among Documentaries
Review: I'll start with these words: I was not a bird watcher. I was not into bird watching at all. My hobbies mainly involved computers. I graduated in Computer Engineering. So why my 5-star rating on this piece of work? Well, it is simply the most enjoyable long running documentary I have ever seen. Every scene in this set has been filmed as if each frame was a work of art. Seemingly impossible close-ups of birds in flight, as well as incredible film shots of different species of birds in their natural habitat, have been taken throughout the series. Also, remarkable computer animations were used to render some prehistoric aerial creatures, as well as to enhance some explanation about the bird's vocal chords and bone structures. One would wonder if such attention to photography would warrant a "Making of..." film. But not only is the scenery stunning, Sir David Attenborough has a flair of teaching us the world of birds in ways that would grasp the attention of any viewer. He does not go into complex, arcane description of each bird, but takes the time to introduce us to each species in a very friendly way. No complex Latin description. No dry description of the birds' characteristics. Sir David Attenborough draws us in with his genuine fascination of each species. He doesn't rely much on some birds' cuteness to get our attention. He lures us with pure human curiosity. A sparkle of humour here, a tiny amount of suspense there, and an engaging soundtrack all add to the narration, creating a documentary that should be known for its superb structure in teaching us the birds' way of living. NOTE for DVD users: At the time of writing this review, there is currently a DVD version available through the BBS website. There are 3 DVD discs included, containing all 10 episodes. Unfortunately, it seems to be restricted to the European market, since the prices are marked in pounds. As you all know, DVD players can only play DVDs with the appropriate regional code, so it is unlikely that American DVD players can play imported European DVDs. There is currently no plan to export the series into an American encoded DVD set.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely terriffic, most interesting wildlife documentary
Review: I've just watched the first show of the series and found it to be the most interesting wildlife documentary I'd seen in years. The photography is topnotch, the species are particularly fascinating, and Sir David Attenborough is his usual charming self.
Rating:
Summary: At least 30 "Wows!!!"
Review: If you love birds, nature, or nature photography, this DVD series will do nothing less than overwhelm you with great narrative, truly consuming photography (not to mention the sound editing is awesome) and troves full of information. My wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed Sir Attenborough's magnificent telling of the 'Life of Birds' and are actually looking forward to watching the entire series again and again. Even if you are an avid birder, you are sure to discover new species, new habitats, and new facts about bird behaviors that you weren't aware of before. One of the most rewarding things about these stories are that you may find yourself wondering out-loud, "How did they find out about that???" over-and-over, as we did, to find that they actually take the time to answer those questions at the end of the episode. I'm only here to give credit where it's due, in my humble opinion, and to order 2 more copies as gifts.
Rating:
Summary: Bird Lovers - Watch This!
Review: If you want to see the reality, beauty, and mysteries of birds this is the defining documentary. Sir David has, once again, outdone himself! A truely 'must see'.
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