Amazing film about birds of prey found in the U.S., specifically the owl and the cuckoo. Incredible vintage footage of these birds in their natural habitat makes these beautiful documentaries come to life. These films were some of the first nature documentaries ever made and remain a great educational resource to this day. Running time is 20 minutes. TABLE OF CONTENTS: (1) Birds of Prey (1938) – Classic study of owls, vultures, hawks and eagles, with informative narration. Delightful black and white footage of the owls especially. 10:13 running time (2) The Cuckoo (1942) – This brilliant, black and white silent film explains the strange and bizarre mating habits of the cuckoo. 10:37 running time
Included Films:
Birds of Prey
Birds of Prey
Produced: 1938
Length: 10 Minutes
This detailed and fascinating film gives useful information about several varieties of American birds of prey, including owls, hawks, eagles, and vultures. The special characteristics that help these carnivorous birds hunt and consume their prey are discussed, and views of powerful talons and curved beaks are included. Animated maps show the range of the different birds. The film discusses several examples of species within each of the four subgroups. Owls are shown in flight, and the film highlights their fringed wings, perfect night vision, and other characteristics that make them good night hunters. There is footage of young barn owls and great horned owls, among others. After the barn owl information, the film shows different types of vultures, like turkey vultures, and black vultures feeding on a carcass. There are several views of the young being fed by their parents. The film then talks about and shows footage of the sparrow hawk, marsh hawk, red-tailed hawk, and rough-legged hawk. Each species is shown with its young in different types of bird nests and bird habitats. Finally the majestic eagles are examined. Beautiful footage of eagles soaring through the air is a sight to see! This historic bird of prey DVD is a great introduction to ornithology and zoology, as well as simply an engaging video that provides bird information.
The Cuckoo
The Cuckoo
Produced: 1920s
Length: 10 Minutes
This is a rare nature film from the silent era in filmmaking. The subject (described by text cards) is the life of the cuckoo. The habits and behavior of the cuckoo were still a mystery in the 1920s, and this documentary explores all aspects of this cute and cuddly bird in great detail. The female Cuckoo abandons her duties as a mother once her eggs are laid, choosing instead to place her eggs in the nest of the same type of bird that she herself was hatched into. While the host bird initially puts up a fight, it eventually welcomes the baby cuckoo bird as its own, feeding and taking care of it until it is capable of surviving in the wild. Overall this film is a wonderful exploration of vintage nature filmmaking as well as adorable little birds.
