Comprehensive information and links about Winged Migration

Winged Migration Winged Migration is a 2001 documentary film directed by Jacques Cluzaud, Michel Debats and Jacques Perrin (who was also one of the writers and narrators) showcasing the immense journeys routinely made by birds during their migrations.

The movie was shot over the course of three years on all seven continents. Shot using in-flight cameras, most of the footage is aerial, and the viewer appears to be flying alongside birds of successive species. They traverse every kind of weather and landscape, covering vast distances in a flight for survival.

Much of the aerial footage was taken of "tame" birds. The filmmakers raised birds of several species, including storks and pelicans, from birth. The newborn birds imprinted on staff members, and were trained to fly along with the film crews. Several of these species had never been imprinted before. Film was shot from ultralights, paragliders, and hot air balloons, as well as trucks, motorcycles, motorboats, remote-controlled robots, and a French Navy warship.

The film is dedicated to the French ornithologist Jean Dorst.