WILD SOUTH. BIRDS OF PARADOX

This documentary examines the paradox of flightlessness in birds. It looks at a variety flightless species, why they became so and how they cope with the problem of survival in a variety of habitats. Examined by the programme are ratites - the family which includes ostriches, emu, and kiwis, ducks; cormorants, penguins, the New Caledonian cargou and rails. The vulnerability of flightless birds to extinction from the impact humans is emphasised. The story of the dodo’s demise is one of the examples given. The programme also covers NZ’s flightless birds: the now extinct moa, kiwi, takahe, pukeko, weka and kakapo.