One of the largest living ducks, often heavier than many geese

Its decline was so rapid and poorly tracked that conservationists only realized how critical the situation was in the early 2000s

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

No need to double check, it is not a snake!

Called a “mock viper” because it mimics the look and behavior of true vipers

Believed to guard hidden treasures or sacred sites due to its rare and majestic appearance

Can spray a strong secretion from its anal glands when threatened—somewhat analogous to a skunk, though not as potent

Can tolerate humid heat extremely well, thanks to its habit of seeking shade and damp soil

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

No two civets look exactly alike—like a fingerprint in fur

Saved from near extinction in Kanha National Park—the same park that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book

Both predator and scavenger, shy yet bold, wild yet living close to human world

Sometimes called a “scaly anteater,” though it is not related to anteaters at all

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

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

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

Quietly appreciated by farmers because it helps control pest populations, especially rats and locusts, in agricultural areas

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

Have been recorded catching fish nearly half their body length

Looks like a blend between a goat and an antelope

Proudly holds the title of the largest woodpecker in Asia—and one of the largest in the world

Its call is considered a sign of hot afternoons, since it often calls persistently during the warmest parts of the day

Often mistaken for an earthworm

Cherished as common, friendly garden birds

A bird that adds both music and style to any landscape it inhabits

Nicknamed the “undertaker bird” because of its bald head and hunched stance, as if dressed in dark mourning clothe

Bristly mane from head to back and backward-curving horns give it a tough, distinctive appearance

Has a piercing yellow eyes with a default “surprised” look

This owl sometimes makes a dog-like “wow-wow” bark when alarmed

One of the few venomous mammals in the world

Can go months without touching the ground

Love to perch upright on stones, gazing around like calm little forest monks lost in meditation

They’re the biggest otters in Asia

One of the most intelligent cobra species, capable of learning from repeated experiences

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

Many people confuse it with the juvenile water monitor, but it has a slimmer build and a more delicate head

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

When eating fruit, they often toss it into the air and catch it with the tip of their bill

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

Among the highest-dwelling cranes on Earth

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

One of the heaviest-hitting owls in Asia

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!

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

A lightning-fast hunter with a personality far larger than its size

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

Often described as quiet and patient despite its imposing look

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