1、天空的統治者Rulers of the sky.自♥由♥的象征Symbols of freedom.無可匹敵的獵人Unrivaled hunters.在我們眼中We think of birds of prey猛禽是無情的殺手as ruthless killers.但它們的故事還有另一面But there's another side to their story.出人意料的智慧Unexpectedly smart.令人驚嘆的適應能力Surprisingly adaptable.而且比你想象的And more caring更要有愛心than

2、you ever imagined.劇名：猛禽（美國 密西西比河上游）凜冬時節Deep winter.這只雌性白頭海雕正在經歷宮縮This female bald eagle is having contractions.它的蛋需要35天才能孵化出來Her eggs take 35 days to hatch.為了做好迎接春天的準備.To be ready for spring.它現在就得下蛋.she has to lay now.但每年的這個時候But at this time of year,天氣變化無常the weather can quickly turn.沒有任何遮蔽 它的蛋短短幾分

3、鐘之內就會凍住Exposed, her eggs would freeze in minutes.但白頭海雕生性頑強But bald eagles are tough.它會不惜一切代價She'll do whatever it takes保護好自己的蛋to protect them.不僅僅有媽媽And it's not just Mom.還有它的終生伴侶Her lifelong mate.這對海雕夫婦下定決心撫育出下一代天空獵人A pair devoted to raising the next generation of aerial hunters.放眼全球Around t

4、he planet,大概有300多種猛禽there are over 300 kinds of birds of prey.從最大的擁有約2.7米的翼展From the biggest in the world, with a nine-foot wingspan,到最小的to the smallest,個頭不超過一只蝴蝶no bigger than a butterfly.不管它們生活在哪里 都是天空的王者Wherever they live, they control the skies.從茂密的叢林From dense jungles到冰凍的北極之地to the frozen Arcti

5、c.從干旱的沙漠.Arid deserts.到高聳入云的群山to towering mountains.它們都是裝備了All of them are meat eaters同一種武器的肉食者equipped with the same weaponry.它們的獵物及獵捕方式It's what and how they hunt打造了一組如此登峰造極的that's created such an amazing cast天空刺客卡司of aerial assassins.（英國 迪恩森林）缺乏空曠的飛行路線No open flight lines藏身之地又多如牛毛and too

6、many places to hide這使得猛禽捕捉獵物比登天還難make hunting almost impossible for a raptor.除非它是大名鼎鼎的森林大♥師♥Unless it's the woodland master.蒼鷹The goshawk.它技術高超 裝備精良Armed with all the tools of the trade.敏銳的雙目視覺Acute binocular vision,能一下子扯下一大塊肉的鋒利鉤喙a sharp, hooked beak for ripping into flesh

7、,還有巨大的彎曲狀鷹爪and large, curved talons用以抓牢獵物for grasping prey.這些都是標配而已That's standard issue.真正讓它脫穎而出的What makes her exceptional是它追捕禮物的方式is how she chases down her prey.翅膀幾次開合In a few wingbeats,它便可以達到51.5公里的時速.she hits 32 miles per hour.所有猛禽里最快的加速過程the fastest acceleration of almost any raptor.通過把尾巴

8、用作空氣制動器Using her tail as an air brake,它在極小的范圍內盤旋she turns on a dime.縮短的翅膀Shortened wings可以扭曲著穿過最狹窄的縫隙contort to the smallest gap.它得在目標隱蔽之前實施打擊She needs to hit her target before it reaches cover.緊貼地面使得它藏起 自己在慢慢靠近的蹤跡Hugging the terrain conceals her approach.如果第一次沒能成功.And if it doesn't work the fir

9、st time.蒼鷹不只敏捷goshawks are not just agile.而且也有耐心They're patient too.蒼鷹生存在北半球的森林里Found in woodlands across the northern hemisphere,它們的成功取決于 自己超級敏捷的身體the goshawk's success is down to its amazing agility.但如果純粹講速度的話.But when it comes to pure speed.另一種猛禽another raptor所向無敵is unbeatable.地球上速度最快的動物T

10、he fastest animal on Earth.游隼The peregrine falcon.一次下撲期間 最高時速Top speed over 240 miles an hour可達386公里in a stoop.游隼適應能力極強Peregrines are so successful,遍布全球各地they're found all around the world.（英國 瓦伊河谷）懸崖是它們最喜歡的棲息地Cliffs are their favorite habitat.為它們尋覓食物提供了有利的視野They provide a vantage point to scope

11、 for food.同時制♥造♥了And create updrafts游隼從高處俯沖時that peregrines use to gain height爬高所需的上升氣流before they strike from above.大多數猛禽的成功The success of most birds of prey取決于飛行技巧depends on a mastery of flight.（南非 高地草原）但總有逆流直上者But there's always one that bucks the trend.有請蛇鷲隆重登場Meet the

12、secretary bird.不是人們經常見到的猛禽Not your typical bird of prey.它是一種She's a raptor會踩高蹺的猛禽on stilts.身高相當于一個七歲的孩子About the height of a seven-year-old child.雖然它也會飛And while she can fly,但更喜歡步行she'd rather go by foot.它一天最多能行走29公里Up to 18 miles a day.這些大長腿不僅僅是為了走路用Those long legs aren't just for walki

13、ng.還能幫它在高草中獲得更好的視野They help see into the tall grass.它們看起來有點笨拙.They look a little ungainly.但千萬別上當受騙but don't be fooled.這致命的一腳.That kick is lethal.釋放出了20公斤力unleashing 44 pounds of force速度快過一次眨眼faster than a blink of an eye.它需要行動迅速And she needs to move fast.這只活“伶盜龍”This living velociraptor也是一個媽媽is

14、also a mom.兩只幾乎完全長大的幼鳥Two chicks, almost fully grown.它們總是吃不飽Always hungry.白頭海雕的巢穴這邊 育兒責任Parenting duties are also stepping up a gear也愈加繁重at the bald eagle nest.雪一融化As soon as the snow's melted,神奇的時刻便來了the magical moment arrives.兩只剛剛被孵化出來的幼鳥Two chicks, freshly hatched.不論天氣如何.In any weather.不論何時何刻

15、.at any time.媽媽都會盡全力保護它們Mom protects them the best she can.但由于鷹爪極其鋒利But with those talons,它走路的時候必須小心she must tread carefully.爸爸媽媽輪流孵蛋Both adults take turns brooding尋找食物and fetching food.搭檔育兒給予了下一代盡可能最好的開始Tag-team parenting gives their young the best possible start.四天后Four days later,最后一只幼鳥破殼而出the la

16、st egg hatches.最大的幼鳥個頭已經是它的兩倍The oldest chick is already twice its weight.除非這對父母能提供數量出眾的食物Unless the parents can provide an exceptional amount of food,最小的幼鳥可能活不了多久the smallest sibling won't last long.猛禽在巢穴中時最為脆弱Birds of prey are most vulnerable in the nest.（南非 卡拉哈里沙漠）幼鳥很快會被滾燙的沙漠烤死.Chicks would s

17、oon perish in this baking desert.除非它們能找到遮陽的地方unless they have shelter from the sun.善于社交的織布鳥Sociable weavers修建了大型的共有巢穴build huge communal nests.巢穴里的溫度要比外面低九攝氏度Inside, it's up to nine degrees cooler.獲益的不僅僅是織布鳥The weavers aren't the only ones who benefit.它們的巢穴吸引來了一對非洲侏隼Their nest has attracted

18、a pair of pygmy falcons.在地球上最小的飛禽里Among the smallest raptors on Earth,這些不太可能的占屋者these unlikely squatters將織布鳥的辛勤勞動占為己有take advantage of the weavers' hard work.有時候Sometimes,它們甚至會吃掉織布鳥they even eat them.但要是說到來自地獄的鄰居But when it comes to neighbors from hell,織布鳥可就有更大的麻煩了weaver birds have even bigger p

19、roblems.這座生命之巢This hive of life會吸引來各類掠食者attracts all sorts of predators.織布鳥雖然看起來毫無抵抗之力The weavers appear defenseless,但它們有一支警衛隊.but they have a security force.隨時準備趕走入侵者.ready to fend off any attack.雖然個頭只有人類拳頭大小Only the size of your fist,但侏隼威力無窮but the falcons pack a punch.好在And thankfully,這些兇猛的小戰士表現出

20、了克制these fierce little fighters show some restraint.它們每個時節只捕捉幾只織布鳥They only take a few weavers each season.大多數時候 還有很多其多獵物Most of the time, there's plenty of other prey around.對織布鳥來說 明槍易躲暗箭難防For the weavers, it's a case of "better the devil you know."對小小的侏隼來說And for the little falco

21、ns,這是在荒漠中it's a one-stop solution找到食物和住處的一站式解決方案to finding food and shelter in the barren desert.（法屬圭亞那 亞馬遜森林）在南美這個偏僻的角落里.In this remote corner of South America.生命是如此豐沛life is so abundant,每種生物都需要自己的小生境every creature needs its niche.棲息在食物鏈頂端的是大約6.8公斤重的角雕Perching at the top of the food chain, the

22、15-pound harpy eagle.但這里的另一種猛禽But another bird of prey here行事作風稍有不同does things a little differently.紅喉長腳鷹The red-throated caracara.如果長腳鷹嗅到危險When caracaras sense a threat,它們會廣而告之they let everybody know.這就足以毀掉頂級掠食者It's enough to put the top predator的好事off its game.長腳鷹被認為是世界上 最善交際也最聰明的猛禽Caracaras a

23、re considered the world's most social and most intelligent raptors.有了這兩項技能聯合加持 它們能夠應對A winning combination that means they can tackle prey連角雕都不愿意碰的獵物even a harpy wouldn't touch.大黃蜂Wasps.最好不要去招惹的物種Usually best left alone.但依靠集體But working together,長腳鷹想出了一個計劃the caracaras figure out a plan.先是直接

24、進攻First, the direct approach.一旦蜂巢受到攪擾.But once the nest is stirred.那些小毒蜂便開始飛向各處.those little stingers get everywhere.然后是砸窗搶劫Next, a smash-and-grab.這需要膽量才能做到It takes guts to pull it off.但只要有一點點勇氣But a little courage就可大功告成gets the job done.如果一只長腳鷹能忍♥受疼痛If one caracara can take the pain,大黃蜂最

25、終會放棄蜂巢eventually the wasps abandon the nest.這些像紙一樣的建筑 雖然像紙板一樣毫無營養價值.These paper-like constructions are as nutritious as cardboard.但深藏在蜂巢里的but hidden away in the combs是豐滿多汁的幼蟲are plump, juicy grubs.一只勇敢的長腳蜂 給整個團隊帶來了福利One caracara's bravery benefits the whole team.等它吃飽之后 其他同伴開始分贓Once she's tak

26、en her fill, the rest share the spoils.飯吃得剛巧是時候Served up just in time.雨林的生存環境很艱難Life in the rain forest is tough.但多虧了頑強的品格和團隊合作But caracaras keep ahead of the game長腳鷹向來占據上風thanks to tenacity and teamwork.大多數猛禽不怎么看重合作Most birds of prey aren't so cooperative.即便還處于幼鳥時期 競爭就已經很激烈了Even in the nest, co

27、mpetition is fierce.新生的白頭海雕幼鳥 每天體重會增加20%New bald eagle chicks can grow 20% bigger each day.但最小的那只幼鳥在勉強活下去But the youngest is struggling to keep up.每次喂食Every feeding time,它都排在最后he's at the back of the line.兩個月后In a little over two months,這些幼鳥需要長成現在的十倍大these chicks need to be ten times larger做好飛翔準

28、備and ready to fly.但如果沒有足夠的食物But if there's not enough food,小海雕哥哥或姐姐就會跟弟弟妹妹反♥目♥成仇older eaglets will turn on their smaller siblings.很少有三只幼鳥能同時活下來It's rare for three chicks to survive.海雕父母在很努力The parents are working hard讓所有的孩子都活下去to keep all of their young alive.（南非 德拉肯斯山脈

29、）對所有猛禽來說 找到足夠的食物是永恒的挑戰Finding enough food is a constant struggle for all birds of prey.盡管其中一些看起來不費吹灰之力Though some make it seem effortless.禿鷲利用熱力Vultures use thermals,一縷縷上升的暖氣流columns of rising warm air,飛向高處to gain altitude.高度一旦達到 一些禿鷲不用扇動翅膀Once high enough, some soar over 100 miles就能一口氣翱翔160公里withou

30、t a single beat of their wings.飛行途中Along the way,它們使用非凡的望遠視力尋找食物they use their telescopic vision to scan for food.禿鷲是食腐者Vultures are scavengers.雖然食用死尸讓它們臭名在外Feasting on the dead has given them a bad name,但它們是唯一but they're the only birds of prey絕不殺生的猛禽that never kill.而且 作為大自然的清道夫團隊 它們做出了重大貢獻And t

31、hey do essential work as nature's cleanup crew.雖然表面上看起來亂作一團It may look chaotic,但其中暗含著長幼尊卑but there's a pecking order.僅僅在南非 就生活著九種不同的禿鷲Nine different species of vulture live in Southern Africa alone,每一種都有各自的角色and each has its own role.先是中重量級的選手First, the middleweights.白背禿鷲White-backed vulture

32、s.它們成群結隊 吞噬動物尸體的軀干In large numbers, they devour the bulk of the carcass,內臟和肉體the internal organs, and flesh.然后是重量級選手Next, the heavyweights.肉垂禿鷲有著不下6.8公斤的體重At over 15 pounds,是南非最大的一種猛禽之一lappet-faced vultures are one of the biggest in Africa.一旦它們上場When they move in,其他禿鷲紛紛讓路everyone steps aside.它們鋒利的喙能

33、撕開韌帶和毛皮Their powerful beaks rip through ligaments and hide,為最后登場的選手opening up new parts of the carcass打開新局面for the last in line.也就是輕量級選手The lightweights.頭巾禿鷲守在一邊Hooded vultures stick to the sidelines,盡量撿點殘羹冷炙stealing scraps where they can,耐心地等待上場patiently waiting their turn.等其他禿鷲吃完Once everyone else

34、 is done,它們小小的喙把骨頭啃個干干凈凈their small beaks pick the bones bare.為了維持地球的干凈整潔 禿鷲任勞任怨 不辭勞苦Vultures do the dirty work in keeping our planet clean.它們胃液的酸度 可與汽車電池相提并論Stomachs as acidic as car batteries能消滅入口的任何細菌和病毒destroy any bacteria and viruses they eat.它們還讓傳播疾病的昆蟲And they deny disease-spreading insects失去

35、了繁殖空間a place to breed.人類需要禿鷲We need vultures,但它們的數量在驟降but their numbers are plummeting.短短15年內In just 15 years,印度97%的禿鷲慘遭殺害97% of India's vultures were killed,原因是食用了被下有一種叫作poisoned by feeding on the carcasses of cattle二氯苯胺苯乙酸劇毒的牛尸treated with a drug called Diclofenac.隨著野狗取代它們食腐者的地位When feral dogs

36、 took their place as scavengers,狂犬病、肺結核和炭疽it led to a rise in rabies,傳播激增TB, and anthrax.其他猛禽也遭遇了同樣的命運Other raptors have suffered a similar fate.20世紀50年代In the 1950s,二氯二苯三氯被廣泛用作殺蟲劑DDT was a freely used insecticide.但它對白頭海雕的蛋極具殺傷力But it had a devastating effect on bald eagles' eggs幾乎使得這一標志性物種絕跡and

37、 nearly wiped out this iconic species.人類意識到它的危害后 立刻禁止了二氯二苯三氯Once people realized its impact, DDT was banned.五十年內Within 50 years,白頭海雕的數量增長了七倍bald eagle numbers increased sevenfold.很多猛禽仍然面臨生存壓力Many birds of prey are still under pressure.由于被認作對牲畜和獵物造成威脅Seen as a threat to livestock and game,人類對它們展開迫&am

38、p;hearts;害♥they are persecuted.如果棲息地遭到毀滅And when habitat is destroyed,它們會失去食物和庇護所they lose food and shelter.但不是所有猛禽在現代社會 日子都這么難過But not all are faring so badly in the modern world.（英國 倫敦）這里或許看起來像是猛禽 最不可能棲息的地方.This might look like the last place a raptor would thrive.但對于那些能適應環境的猛禽來說.but fo

39、r those that can adapt,這里是機遇之地it's a world of opportunity.在城市中心In the heart of the city,巴特西發電站的標志性煙囪高達91米Battersea Power Station's iconic chimneys stand over 300 feet high.它們是一對游隼的家They're home to a pair of peregrine falcons.它們把混凝土墻當作懸崖They use the concrete walls like cliffs.城市生活也有好的一面Ci

40、ty life has its advantages.這里到處都是燈光There's so much light here,使得游隼能在夜間捕獵the peregrines can hunt at night.為了擴大捕獵范圍 這對游隼分頭行動The pair splits up to cover more ground.雌性游隼個頭稍大The female falcon is the bigger,也是更有經驗的夜間獵人more experienced nocturnal hunter.它的視力要比人類的敏銳兩倍Her vision is more than twice as sha

41、rp as ours,這要多虧大到thanks to eyes so large緊貼頭骨的眼球they touch inside her skull.通過轉動腦袋 這只雌性游隼對目標進行三角定位By bobbing her head, she triangulates her target.但在城市里追捕鴿子But pursuing pigeons in the city是有風險的has risks.這么多的建筑讓它向下猛沖 變得很危險This many buildings make it dangerous to stoop.這迫使都市游隼兵行險著It forces urban peregr

42、ines to hunt the hard way.也就是掠食者.The level chase.和獵物實力更均衡的水平追蹤where predator and prey are more evenly matched.但即便不能俯沖But even without stooping,即便是在夜晚.even at night.大自然的頂級獵人鮮有失手nature's top gun is rarely outmaneuvered.游隼已經在全球遍布Peregrine falcons have spread to cities around the world,從紐約到悉尼的各個城市fr

43、om New York to Sydney.它們的數量隨著每個繁殖季節增長And with every breeding season, their numbers continue to rise.在白頭海雕的鳥巢At the bald eagle nest,這幾只幼鳥破除了千難萬險the chicks have come a long way.全部三只All three of them.都健健康康地長大了All growing strong.最終開始長出它們的撥風羽And finally developing their flight feathers.三只幼鳥的存活 是海雕父母努力的象征

44、The chicks' survival is a testament to Mom and Dad.它們堅持不懈地辛苦了六個月They've worked tirelessly for six months.但現在它們帶回的食物變少了.But now they're bringing in less food.意在暗示小海雕hinting to the eaglets是時候飛離鳥巢了it's time to fly the nest.飛翔藝術需要通過練習才能掌握The art of flying takes practice.而且必須天時地利人和And con

45、ditions have to be right.天氣一旦轉晴 它們也下定了破釜沉舟的戒心Once the weather clears, they're more determined than ever.但外面的世界既新鮮 又讓它們摸不著頭腦But the outside world is new and confusing.其他鳥類對掠食者充滿敵意Other birds are hostile towards predators.遠離家人讓禿鷲感到害怕It's scary to venture far from family.而且找到立足之地And it takes ti

46、me需要時間to find your feet.這才只是通向漫長成年之路的開端This is just the beginning of the long journey to adulthood.好在Thankfully,爸爸媽媽會照管它們一陣子Mom and Dad will watch over them for a while.猛禽不是天生的殺手Birds of prey aren't natural-born killers.它們需要時間磨練技能They need time to perfect their skills.三個月來 這些蛇鷲幼鳥For three months

47、, the secretary bird chicks一直過著衣來張口、飯來伸手的日子have had everything provided by their parents.現在它們必須開始自謀生路了Now they must start fending for themselves.一只幼鳥在前面帶路One chick leads the charge.待它的兄弟姐妹跟上時When its sibling follows,狩獵便開始了the hunt is on.找到獵物需要敏銳的眼神Finding prey takes a keen eye,并且走很長一段路and a lot of w

48、alking.逮到食物并不容易Catching it doesn't come easily.它終于成功了Success at last.但一條小蜥蜴根本不夠塞牙縫But one small lizard is barely a snack.好在有媽媽協同作戰Luckily, Mom's on the case.未來兩個月 它會繼續哺育幼鳥.She'll keep feeding her young for another two months.直到這些笨手笨腳的年輕鳥兒.as the awkward youngsters成為像媽媽那樣的learn to be dead

49、ly assassins,致命殺手just like Mom.很少有其他鳥 會成為如此盡心盡責的父母Few other birds make such devoted parents.猛禽幾乎一輩子都在撫育幼鳥Raptors spend much of their lives rearing their young.它們提供保護Providing protection和來之不易的食物and hard-won meals為的就是自己的孩子to ensure that one day終有一天their chicks will be able能夠靠自己生存to survive on their own.（美國 密西西比河上游）深秋Late fall.數幾百只白頭海雕從遙遠的地方飛來.Hundreds of bald eagles have traveled from far and wide.捕食遷徙中的水鳥to hunt migrating waterfowl.小海雕需要磨煉自己Young eagles need to build their strength.爸爸媽媽不會再給它們吃的.They won't