Varda, the Peregrine Falcon

"Varda, the Peregrine Falcon" is an episode of The Wonderful World of Disney. It originally aired on NBC on November 16, 1969.

Synopsis
A magnificent bird is in danger of extinction. This documentary follows a female peregrine falcon from birth in Alaska through a roundabout migration to Florida, where she is captured by a falconer. The program examines the threat of insecticides to the peregrine (DDT, for example results in sterility and eggs that cannot hatch.) Five months were spent in the back country near Mount McKinley recording the Peregrine's courting and nesting habits. They filmed most of the bird's aerobatics in slow-motion (the falcon attains 100mph in level flight and an incredible 200mph in a dive. Producer Zuniga mounted a camera on a radio-controlled model plane to provide the falcon's-eye-view.

Cast

 * Hugh Cherry ... Narrator
 * Peter de Manio ... Charlie

Trivia

 * The episode reflected Roy’s desire to save the falcons from extinction. Roy’s associations with Tom and Morley led to his becoming a member of The Peregrine Fund board.