They say birds of feather flock together and these birds are no exception as they take to the skies with a microlight pilot they believe to be their mother.
Christian Moullec has been dubbed the ‘birdman’ for his extraordinary relationship with birds and as this breathtaking footage shows, the 58-year-old loves nothing more than sharing his passion with others – taking people up on his microlight and encouraging them to reach out and touch the birds mid-flight.
Christian, from Cantal in France, first starting flying with birds back in 1995 in a bid to migrate them to areas where they were well protected and stop their numbers declining.
Stunning pictures and video show birds such as these Brent geese flying over beautiful landscapes in France and elsewhere
The birds travel with Christian Moullec, 58 (back), a microlight pilot who reared them and who they believe to be their mother
Since then, he has dedicated his life to raising and training orphaned geese and helping birds on the brink of extinction.
Christian admitted it was a very long and difficult process encouraging the birds to fly with him but said he loved sharing his unique flying experience with others.
That notion is particularly apparent in this breathtaking montage of videos, which shows various species of birds flying with Christian and members of the public over France.
He said: ‘People are often overwhelmed with emotion by the experience.
‘It is hard to describe what it feels like but I have people come from all over the world to fly with me.
The breathtaking footage shows birds flying across beautiful landscapes such as here in Rocamadour in southern France
Christian, from Cantal in France, first starting flying with birds in 1995 and is seen here over Leeds Castle in Kent
Christian pictured flying with his wife while lesser white fronted geese migrate over Sweden in 1999
‘Some people will travel 15 hours on a plane just for 30 minutes flying with birds.’
The former meteorologist uses a theory known as imprinting, which works on the idea that the birds will regard the first moving thing they see upon hatching as their mother and will follow it anywhere and everywhere.
Christian hand rears them from birth and even allows them to share his home.
He added: ‘I cry every day when I fly with my birds.
The pilot says some passengers will travel 15 hours just for half an hour of flying alongside birds such as these barnacle geese
Christian, pictured here in Venice, admitted it was a very long and difficult process encouraging the birds to fly with him
‘They are the gods of flight yet they follow me as if I were their guide.
‘They show me tremendous gratitude and I have to act like their spokesman.’
The Frenchman encourages passengers on his microlight to reach out and touch the birds mid-flight although admits that can sometimes end in disaster.
He said: ‘My birds are happy to be touched but generally birds do not like to be caressed in flight because it can unbalance them.
‘If a bird is unbalanced during flight they can poo on the passenger and that has happened once or twice.’
A majestic Bewick’s swan flies over Chenonceau Castle in the Loire Valley in 2014
Christian has ventured further afield than his usual French landscapes, with barnacle geese seen here over Edinburgh
He started flying with birds such as these barnacle geese in a bid to migrate them to areas where they were well protected
The various bird species Christian flies with include greylag geese, seen here flying over Millau bridge in southern France
The birds, such as these barnacle geese flying over the desert, are even welcome in Christian’s home
A younger Christian pictured during his first flight with barnacle geese more than 20 years ago
Pictured here flying with common cranes in 2009, Christian has devoted his life to raising and training orphaned geese
Christian, seen here flying with the geese during an air show in 2012, says he cries every time he is out with the birds