Usually looks shorter-legged because of its overall build and stance

It’s the hornbill with the “rockstar hair”

Cannot swim or land on water because their feathers are not waterproof

Even in places where it lives, sightings can be rare because it stays hidden in dense, shady woods

When alarmed, it often points its bill straight up and stays still so it looks like just another reed stalk

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

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

Biggest “sandpiper” on the planet

Has the longest bill of any wading bird

One of the few bats known as possible “spider experts”

One of the most colorful squirrels on Earth

Looks more like a spiky rat than a typical porcupine

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

The “cheetahs” of the deep ocean

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

Its bright turquoise bill actually seems to glow in the dim forest light, a rare trait among birds

Among the most athletic dolphins, known for their spectacular leaps and spins that can reach several meters high

Sometimes called the “scars in the water” thanks to their many white markings

Can rotate its ankles backward—just like a raccoon—allowing it to climb down trees headfirst

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

Its thin, translucent skin gives it a ghostly appearance under bright light

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

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

A sleek, fast-flying raptor that has mastered the art of hunting bats in midair

A living jewel that seems to have stepped straight out of a painting

Nicknamed the “Asian pancake turtle” for its flat shape and smooth, soft texture

While they look soft and harmless, their strong jaws can deliver a surprisingly sharp bite

A beak built for everything—one of the most versatile tools in the kingfisher family!

With an extraordinary sense of smell—its nose is its main tool for survival

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

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

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

Often seen in pairs, roosting together snugly in tree hollows

Nocturnal crab-cracker, master of camouflage, and solitary guardian of the beach

Often mistaken for an earthworm

When resting, it can be very difficult to spot, as it looks like part of the tree itself

Sometimes mistaken for a rock or a log when it’s resting

People who encounter it for the first time often don’t believe it’s a bat at all

It’s not actually a deer—it belongs to an older, separate group of hoofed animals

One of the smallest hoofed mammals on Earth

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

In winter, they’re plain grey and white, but in the Arctic summer, they turn into a glowing rusty red

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

The largest tortoise species native to mainland Asia

One of the rarest and least-known otters in the world

Has a quieter lifestyle and is rarely seen by people

One of the lesser-known members of the dolphin family, despite its dramatic name

May appear grayer when calm and brighter pink when active or overheated

One of the most beautiful of the wild cattle species

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

Can squeeze through shockingly small gaps if their head fits

The third most widespread rat on Earth, after the brown rat and black rat

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

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

The only sawfish known to spend long stretches of its life in freshwater lakes, not just rivers or coasts

Often heard rustling or calling overhead but rarely seen

The textured, creased bare skin around the face and throat is a natural feature—not scars or age marks

Their skin actually darkens, just like a sunburn!

Despite their name,most of their diet makes up of fruits and seeds

When it comes to food, their varied diet includes fruits, leaves, insects, and even small vertebrates

Look like they’re dressed in autumn year-round — no jungle camouflage here

They’re the biggest otters in Asia

You might’ve already seen one in your backyard

They flip the script — literally!

Can accurately spit venom up to 2 meters (8 feet) away

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

Believed to have naturally spread across much of Asia

Its wingbeats are so strong and slow—a sound locals describe as a “forest sigh” or “beat of the jungle’s heart”

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

Can make clicking sounds up to 200 times per second to locate prey in cloudy waters where vision is limited

Unlike what their name suggests, these reptiles can’t fly but only leap between tree tops

Officially designated as Natural Monument No. 205 and classified as a first-class endangered species in South Korea

With an appearance that blends features of both a dog and a weasel

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

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

Has a shaggy “beard” of whiskers that hangs from its snout and jaw, giving it a scruffy, almost comical look

So big that locals in some parts of Asia jokingly call it a “sky puppy,” because its face resembles that of a dog

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

This one-of-a-kind mammal is facing a major threat – illegal hunting

Has a unique hunting strategy, often striking from a coiled positon, rather than actively pursuing prey

Easily recognizable by its massive, ivory-colored casque, which covers its beak

Has a darker coat compared to other tarsier species

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

A delightful bird with a calm and peaceful nature

A snake that can fly? Well, not exactly fly, but glide through the air like a superhero

Small, chubby bird with big, round eyes that make it look extra cute

A bold black-and-white bird with a red crown that makes it stand out in the forest

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

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

Its colorful pattern makes it stand out, earning it the name “Beauty”

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

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