They’re the biggest otters in Asia

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

Believed to have naturally spread across much of Asia

Sometimes seen snatching food in mid-air or stealing prey from other birds — a behavior known as kleptoparasitism

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

Famous snake-fighter — with strategy

The only mammal known to intentionally eat spicy food

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

An accomplished climber with the ability to glide!

They help carry the babies to the water in their mouths — gently, without harming them

Their calm behavior and massive size have earned them nicknames like the “gentle giants” of the jungle

One of the most iconic animals of the high Himalayas

One of the largest and most powerful wild bovines in the world

Despite being called “blue sheep,” bharals are more closely related to goats than true sheep

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

Has an extraordinary ability to mimic human speech — better than almost any other bird on the planet

Even from day one, they’re already scrambling up slopes alongside their mothers!

One of the most visually stunning kingfisher, often described as a “flying jewel”

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

Native to Asia where they were first domesticated, the ancestors to all our chickens

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

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

Nonvenomous but it’s hug can be as deadly as a venom!

When disturbed, they may freeze and appear like a dead tree stump

An owl that meows like a cat

Also known as “barking deer” because of their loud, barking alarm calls

Sometimes mistaken for a crow because of its size and dark coloration

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!

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

The smallest of all the crane species and is known for its elegance and grace

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

So elusive that it was once thought to be a myth or legend among local populations until its official discovery and documentation

The true eye-catcher is its head – completely bare with a shade of red, orange, or even yellow, depending on its age

Often called “goat-antelopes” because they share traits with both animals

Capable of making long leaps, thanks to their powerful hind legs

Notoriously difficult to spot due to their preference for dense, shadowy forest habitats

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

It’s dazzling plumage has earned it the nickname “nine-colored bird” in some cultures

Controller of arboreal birds and mammals populations in Asia’s tropical forests

This toad relies on “saltation” for movement, which means it jumps rather than walks

During breeding, they transform with elegant white plumage, adorned by decorative plumes on the head, neck, and back

It can catch insects that are disturbed by the animals’ movements

Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

These birds are quite chatty, and their sounds are like a strong and determined rattling laugh

Adept hunters of freshwater snails and mollusks, using their specialized bills to extract their prey from their shells

With its splendid plumage, it has earned its place as a jewel of the skies

Their narrow wings, long forked tails, and streamlined bodies are perfectly designed for high-speed maneuvers

Its large eyes are equipped with highly sensitive retinas, which allow it to see in low light conditions

Despite their nickname “bearcat,” they are not related to bears or cats

Their beaks are tools for everything from cracking open fruits to catching insects mid-air – talk about multitasking!

With its towering stature and impressive antlers, is a true king of the Asian forests

Aren’t afraid of bigger animals, and they’ve been known to fight off dogs and even leopards!

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the world’s most widely distributed carnivore!

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

With a gleaming golden coat and playful pounce, this fox proves that high-altitude living is no match for its wit and whimsy

A skilled predator with a unique coat and playful personality

Its rugged shell makes it look “exotic” to collectors, making it prone to illegal wildlife trade

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

Meet the world’s smallest mammal but a fierce predator

In Vietnam, these bears are caught, crammed into tiny cages, have their teeth removed to extract bile – sold as “medicine”

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

Disappearing graceful shadows, this tree-climber is on the way to extinction

The vanishing big cat of the cold, rugged Himalaya mountains is being executed by the humans

These elegant acrobats perform a perfectly timed and skilled somersault as they approach their chosen resting site

Their muzzle has wrinkled lips, which makes them look like a dog’s face, and is commonly called a bulldog bat

Be ready to be puzzled by this vegetarian carnivore!

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

If you ever forget the tune of a song, don’t worry; this bird has your back

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

The largest of Old World barbets

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

The songbird that occasionally eats bats

The master aerial diver and swooper

The most widely dispersed wild bird

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

One of the most beautiful birds on Earth!

At the speed of over 321 km/h (200 mph), this bird outraces a Formula1 car

Having wide distribution across Asia, the beautifully colored bee-eater avoids living near water and only migrates from areas with rainfall

The only member of the genus having wide distribution across Asia and Africa is sociable, unlike other members of its family

A bird about the size of a sparrow but with sharp claws and a hooked beak – it’s like a miniature eagle

The stork with the widest geographic range

One of the very few birds with an upturned bill

Owner of one of the most peculiar-looking beak shapes in all of the bird kingdom

This bird holds the record of the longest distance flown by any bird in recorded history

These little birds skillfully make their tiny nest on a tree branch and glue them with their saliva

They’re amazingly human-friendly — oh, but do we call it a friendship if we cost their population the chance to survive

Dependable wings and a muscular build. Nope, we aren’t talking about the next Redbull ad campaign

These hardy birds are capable of flying at dizzying heights, where even helicopters can’t fly

This invasive species is the ancestor to most of the modern ducks

Extinct and reintroduced – What’s the story behind these so-called ‘flying barn doors’?