There is more to this species than its majestic coat of thick white feathers and piercing yellow eyes

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

One of Europe’s oldest surviving deer species

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

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

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

Famous for stealing chips, sandwiches, and even ice cream right out of people’s hands

Known for its bright red belly, a bold warning to predators, combined with its distinctive “whoop” call

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

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

Their webbed feet act like tiny paddles, propelling them through the water with surprising speed and agility

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

It is one of the most widespread and familiar amphibians 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!

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Sometimes called the “squirrels of the weasel family” due to their impressive arboreal abilities

At the first sign of danger, it will quickly dive into the water and hide

Can hang upside down while feeding!

They’re kind of like big, furry rats but with a different shape

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!

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

One of the biggest owls in the world, but don’t let its size fool you – it’s actually quite light!

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

To prepare for winter, they gather huge amounts of food – sometimes up to 65 kilograms – and store it in their burrows

You might mistake it for a big squirrel, but it’s smaller and has a more delicate appearance

Easy to spot thanks to its unique appearance: a dark brown body covered in tiny white spots

Unlike rabbits, they don’t live in burrows, instead, they make shallow nests in the grass called forms

The biggest bat you can find in Europe, with wings that can stretch out as wide as your arm!

Its imperial imagery and fierce demeanor have made it a symbol of power and nobility throughout history

A tiny bird, one of the smallest in fact!

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

Very active and noisy, with a loud, piercing call that sounds like “pee-wit”

Known to be fiercely protective of their nesting sites and will aggressively defend their territory from intruders, including humans

Have been observed remembering the locations of their impaled prey and even using tools to help them catch food

Quite noisy creatures which is a common sight in wetland areas

Male undergo a striking transformation during a short breeding window, displaying a vibrant blue color

Instead of hopping like other toads, they have a funny little walk, almost like they’re running!

Can produce a peculiar garlic-like smell when threatened, which acts as another line of defense to deter predators

Can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even parts of their heart and eyes

Can live for several decades under the right conditions, but grow slowly and only reach maturity after several years

Imagine a mammal that blends the features of a mole with a rat, but with a surprisingly luxurious tail!

When threatened, they roll into a tight, spiky ball, tucking in their face, feet, and belly

Known for their graceful movements and the distinctive “S” shape of their neck

Can switch from winter white to summer grey – truly a nature’s savvy survivors!

Often lives close to humans and is sometimes seen as a pest

Very loyal partners! Once they find a mate, they usually stay together for life

One of the most common reptile of the European wetlands

A warty amphibian with golden eyes

Can walk along the riverbed using its wings to stabilize itself against the current

They have the ability to regenerate lost limbs and other body parts, a superpower in the animal kingdom!

One of the most hunted, widespread, ancient, and well-known game birds

Not only one of the largest deer species but also among the most majestic

Revered in many cultures for their beauty, grace, and symbolism of love and fidelity

The males, in particular, produce a rich and intricate song that contributes to their charm

They consistently display a restless demeanor and exhibit a distinctive, tail-trembling behavior

Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

Their migratory behavior is often linked to the availability of insects for food

A pocket-sized charmer with a playful personality that will steal your heart

The furry flat-tailed mammal that builds its own aquatic empire

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

Fiercely territorial, marking their territory with scent to communicate with other otters

They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 30 seconds underwater

A tiny creature that dwells below the surface in a complex system of tunnels and burrows

Habitat destruction & overhunting led to extinction in the wild, now gradually being reintroduced

The second largest bear, right after the polar bear. Sadly, it well might top the list soon

The smallest carnivorous predator in the world and so have limited fat stores and need to eat more than 50% of the body weight

A small, fierce predator known for its agility, hunting skills, and color-changing fur

Due to their adaptability and willingness to migrate to more favorable habitats, great cormorants are found worldwide

The most cosmopolitan of owls with home ranges extending across the globe

Aptly named after the goddesses of wisdom and war, little owls have lived alongside human civilizations since 500 BC

These petrels stylishly ride the ocean waves like they own the winds

This cute and small bird is one of the most elite hunters below the water’s surface

One of the only birds that can drill a hole in the hardest of wood

The iconic and elegant bird with a curved pink bill is known for turning heads

This bird is unmistakable for its namesake, spoon-shaped bill

These birds seem to have lost their way to the beauty pageant

Exhibit powerful flight, with distinctive slow wing beats and an extended neck, defining features during their aerial movements

Its neck is insanely long and super flexible, giving it a slinky, snake-like appearance when it hunts

The songbird that occasionally eats bats

The most widely dispersed wild bird

One of the best avian vocal mimics

Like those bulging red eyes weren’t scary enough, they eat their innocent chicks when hungry

Living around smelly brackish marshes is unthinkable, but these birds love their isolated habitat or don’t have a sense of smell