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Reflecting on animal identities, Sir David recalls seeing "whitey" - a blackbird with a white feather in his garden. From 2011.

You get a very different insight into the natural world when you have the opportunity to study the behaviour of individual animals.

Sir David Attenborough recalls with sumptuous delight spotting a blackbird in his garden with a white feather - "whitey" - giving him a window into the life of blackbirds and what's more, that individual. And, he says, he saw what blackbirds get up to!

David remembers filming spiders and chimpanzees, both of which benefited from someone knowing about the individuals - and whether you're a spider or a chimpanzee, you have a personality all of your own.

Written and presented by David Attenborough

Producer: Julian Hector

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2011.

10 minutes

Last on

Mon 8 Dec 202501:45
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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