Birds. Masters of the Elements

Circling erupting volcanoes or crossing infinite oceans, deep in the heart of impenetrable jungles or lifted high on hurricane-force winds: in every corner of the planet, there are birds.

Throughout the history of humankind, cultures have divided the world into four elements: air, water, earth and fire. But birds, more than any other animals, have evolved to become masters of these elements: they cruise on air currents, turn terrestrial matter to their own advantage, plummet into and navigate through water like creatures of the aquatic world, and can even make the most of fire-born destruction to obtain food.

In this series, we look at the relationship between birds and the four historical elements, and will also see how they are still learning to adapt to a more recent, fifth element: the human element.