Netflix Instant Watch for Birders

We love our Netflix subscription. Arthur has been catching up on television series with discs in the mail. We also use Netflix to watch recent DVD releases and the number of DVDs we purchase nowadays is virtually nil. Yay for less stuff! (Actually it means we have more room for books, so it may be a wash....)

Anyway, it's fun to browse through the titles available on Instant Watch. There are a lot of shows or movies I've never heard of, and a lot that sound really intriguing. Here are some of the titles I've found that might be interesting for birders. Note: the images are affiliate links to Amazon.com, where you can purchase the title. The text links go to Netflix.

Kestrel's Eye "This intrepid documentary by Swedish filmmaker Mikael Kristersson follows two European falcons as they go about their daily activities. Two years in the making, the film is shot without any supplemental audio, allowing the two birds to be the sole focal point. As the birds hunt for food and care for their offspring, viewers are treated to a literal bird's-eye view from their nest at the top of an old church steeple."

Rare Birds "In this outstanding independent comedy, down-and-out restaurateur Dave Purcell (William Hurt) is ready to close his doors, until his friend Alphonse devises a wacky plan. They fake a sighting of a rare bird, and soon the place is filled with bird watchers, famous folks and a potential love interest. But Alphonse has another not-so-benign scheme that could put Dave behind bars and close the restaurant for good."

The Life of Birds Of all the titles here, I'm sure this one needs the least introduction... but just in case, here it is. "Presented by world-renowned broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough, this arresting documentary series is the definitive film exploration of the most colorful, popular and perfectly adapted creatures on earth. To create it, researchers traversed the globe, exploring 42 countries and examining more than 300 species of birds using a variety of techniques, including infrared, slow motion and computer-enhanced effects."

March of the Penguins "Award-winning photographer Luc Jacquet takes documentary film to new heights -- and depths -- with his first feature film, a stunning insider's look at the life of emperor penguins living in one of the cruelest climates on the planet. The product of more than a year of filming on the Antarctic ice, this Oscar-winning documentary reveals never-before-captured footage of the penguins' underwater life and explores their steadfast quest for monogamy."

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill "This poignant documentary chronicles the true story of a modern-day St. Francis of Assisi, a homeless San Francisco street musician by the name of Mark Bittner who adopts a flock of wild parrots as he searches for meaning in his life. With a surprise ending that left festival audiences cheering, director Judy Irving's film celebrates urban wildness -- human and avian -- and links parrot antics to human behavior."

Have you seen any of these? Can you tell me about any other gems you've discovered on Netflix Instant Watch? I've only seen March of the Penguins and The Life of Birds; I hadn't even heard of Kestrel's Eye or Rare Birds. They are in my queue now!