David Attenborough's Asia fans left with 'shredded nerves' as bird dodges death

The catfish of Nam Lod Cave were outmanoeuvred by a swift.

Dan Seddon
Updated ·2-min read
A soaking wet swift in the second episode of Asia (BBC screenshot)
A soaking wet swift in the second episode of Asia (BBC screenshot)

David Attenborough's newest docuseries Asia aired its second episode on Sunday, 10 November, and one watery showdown had hearts in mouths over on social media.

Taking fans 'Above the Clouds' to the Daen Lao mountain range in northern Thailand — specifically the Nam Lod Cave — the sequence in question featured a swift splashing across a river full of hungry catfish.

Reacting on X (formerly Twitter), it seems some viewers couldn't take the nerve-shredding tension.

The bird narrowly avoids the onrushing predators (BBC screenshot)
The bird narrowly avoids the onrushing predators (BBC screenshot)

Shot like a chase straight out of Jaws, the footage began with two swifts dropping into the river together after failing to grab a perch in the packed-out cave.

One didn't last long, pulled under the surface by an unseen enemy never to return, while its feathery friend stayed still. The urge to fly proved too strong, though, and the second swift proceeded to flap its sodden wings in desperation as the giant catfish lunged towards their prey.

It was certainly a close call, with the predators almost hanging onto the frantic bird's legs, but its bounciness, grit and an incredible slice of luck ultimately got it out of trouble.

The swift made it to the safety of dry rock.

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"A near-miraculous escape, it was saved by the sheer strength of its wings," narrated Attenborough, who turns 99 years old next year.

"The shelter of the cave is clearly worth the risks it brings. For every swift that is caught by a fish, countless thousands breed successfully and each evening in the dwindling light the sky fills with adult birds."

Over a quarter of a million swifts gather in this location (BBC screenshot)
Over a quarter of a million swifts gather in this location (BBC screenshot)

Having witnessed this heart-pounding hunt, Asia fans were keen to share their emotions on social media.

"Ohh ffs David Attenborough. Last nerve [shredded] watching that poor swift fighting for its life," read one post, whilst a second user dded: "Crikey, the stress of watching a swift escape from the cat fish".

Asia continues Sunday, 17 November on BBC One, while the entire series is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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