Its ears are pretty striking for a hedgehog—large and noticeable

One of the most “desert-proof” pikas

Don’t get fooled by those fangs..they’re plant-eaters

Thrives where few mammals dare to live

It’s a runner before it’s a flyer

Can be black, can be grey but it’s the same bird

Has one of the longest nonstop flights ever recorded for any bird

Has the longest bill of any wading bird

On busy lakes, they often feed more at night, quietly cruising around to forage while everything else has calmed down

It’s technically a duck, but it’s big, upright, and long-legged enough that it often looks like a small goose

Often stop to feed in freshly plowed fields, taking advantage of insects disturbed by farming machinery

Crisp-feathered, fast-flying, and fearless in icy waters

Its boom has been compared to blowing across the top of a giant bottle — a sound low enough to feel in your chest on still mornings

More active on overcast or slightly rainy days, when amphibians are abundant and easier to catch

A heavyweight champ — elegant, yes, but you don’t want to mess with that beak

It’s actually moustached, not bearded!

Can “swim” through sand just like a fish moves through water!

Has its own unique blend of venom, but you won’t find an equally unique antidote for it sitting on the shelf

Can survive in scorching summer heat over 40°C (104°F) and freezing winters below zero

Its flight is nearly soundless, thanks to specially fringed wing feathers that disrupt air turbulence

Defies the usual “creature of the night” stereotype by thriving in open landscapes and often hunting boldly in daylight

Considered sacred animals, often associated with the Hindu monkey-god Hanuman

A tiny desert survivor, with a rodent-like tail

Has the largest wingspan of any pelican species, and among the very largest of any living bird

A bird that carries the rhythms of the seasons on its wings

Can blink and close their eyes while sleeping, something snakes cannot do

A giant among Asia’s harmless snakes

A cobra most adapted to colder climates

Observed using sticks as tools to extract insects from crevices—something once thought to be exclusive to primates

Known for their intelligence—can use tools, solve problems, and even recognize human faces

Despite its small frame, this eagle can take prey almost as large as itself

Local birdwatchers sometimes call it the “silver ghost of the grasslands”

Its name comes from its habit of preying on free-ranging domestic hens in medieval Europe—though such encounters are rare today

One of the most charming doves you’re likely to encounter

Have been recorded catching fish nearly half their body length

Only when cornered will it burst into flight, usually low and fast, showing its striking white wing patches

Often mistaken for an earthworm

Cherished as common, friendly garden birds

Famous for very long migrations between Arctic breeding grounds and coastal wintering areas

Looks ordinary—but transforms into one of the most extravagant birds during breeding season

Has a tendency to mimic venomous snakes

Also called the “two-headed snake” because of its rounded tail

Despite its name, it’s a true boa—just one of the smallest in the world!

Its wide distribution has made it a bit of a “jack-of-all-trades” viper

The largest of all gerbils—think “hamster on steroids”

Rarely causes harm since it lacks venom

One of the smallest wild geese in the Northern Hemisphere, only a bit bigger than a mallard

A majestic scavenger with a wingspan wider than a car

Guinness World Record holders among animals for “strongest relative to body weight”

Turning waste into new life for the soil

These owls have specialized feathers that make their flight nearly silent

Has the body of a duck, neck of a goose, and voice of a goose having a bad day

They flip the script — literally!

The only long-distance migratory dove in Europe

Timid by nature, often flying off at the slightest sign of danger

Have you ever seen one gliding through a stream or sunning itself by a quiet pond?

Famously linked to the production of a luxury coffee called kopi luwak

Need to escape? No problem! They can dive into water and swim powerfully using their tail like a paddle

Big, golden, and built for mountains

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

Famous snake-fighter — with strategy

In Iceland, its arrival is eagerly awaited as it signifies the end of the harsh winter

One of the fastest runners among hedgehogs

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

A big, harmless snake that likes to live near freshwater

With thick coats that help them survive freezing Central Asian temperatures

The largest of all goats and Pakistan’s national animal

An incredible climber — it can scale almost vertical cliffs and jump across wide gaps with ease

The rugged ancestor of the domestic goat

Known as the “Marco Polo sheep,” it was first described by the explorer during his Central Asia travels

This bird taps its feet to imitate rain to make the prey reach the surface

One of the rarest and most critically endangered crane species in the world

Like miniature tanks, built for survival in some seriously harsh climates

Their keen vision enables them to scan vast landscapes, identifying small movements or potential prey items even from high altitudes

Their favorite snack? Large insects like locusts and dragonflies

Renowned for their spectacular aerial displays during courtship, including steep dives and intricate flight patterns

Arguably among the most beautiful songbirds in the world — they enjoy singing after a rain shower

The flocks of this social and gregarious bird are fond of migration, flying over the horizon and creating a V-shaped formation

Its long, serrated beak, often called a “sawbill,” is perfectly adapted for catching slippery prey like fish

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

The masters of catching oysters, clams, and cockles

Brilliant mimics, they can copy bird calls and even human-made sounds like car alarms and ringing phones!

Notorious for sneaking into cars and chewing on soft bits under the hood

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

The “goiter” is a male feature

Even though it looks delicate, it’s a tough, heat-resistant survivor

Unlike many birds, their chicks can swim and dive just hours after hatching

Can hang upside down while feeding!

Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!

Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!

They might not look like much, but they have an incredible talent: singing!

Sometimes mistaken for the North American ring-necked duck — but the tuft gives them away immediately

They don’t have eyelids, instead, they have a clear covering over their eyes that they lick to keep clean

Males are particularly eye-catching with their black and white plumage, looking like they’re wearing a little tuxedo

Can be quite friendly and will often come close to humans, especially if they’re offered food

Underneath this colorful beak, there’s a hidden surprise – a built-in net for scooping up a delicious lunch!