Despite its short stature, it’s a strong and fast flier

Known for their vibrant colors, which can change rapidly in response to their environment, mood, or social interactions

Got a long, floppy crest of black feathers sticking up from the back of its head like a windblown mohawk

Carrion? Nah, I prefer coconuts

Prefers to walk the Earth like a feathered tank, only flying when necessary — wings are for backup, not daily use

And they live up to the name — these little antelopes are known for diving headfirst into thickets when spooked

Despite being brightly colored, they’re hard to spot — they sit quietly in treetops, perfectly camouflaged among leaves

Has double-jointed ankles that let it bend its legs backward, forward, and sideways

They’re always close to the reeds, but just bold enough to be seen

One of Africa’s largest and most powerful birds of prey—a true apex predator of the skies

Males sport a big, bumpy black “knob” on top of their bill — like a bird-sized bike helmet

They flip the script — literally!

The only long-distance migratory dove in Europe

Its call—a soft, sweet “chee-chee” or chattering trill—can often be heard before the bird itself is seen

Mildly venomous and completely harmless to humans

Can take on a cobra with nothing but speed and confidence

One of the more subtly beautiful members of the hornbill family

It’s not just color — the entire body shape of males changes between seasons

Africa’s largest and most powerful kingfisher

Natural alarm clocks in African cities — whether you want them or not!

Despite the name, it rarely goes fishing!

One of Africa’s most majestic and powerful antelopes, known for its robust build and horse-like stature

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

Instead of a bony shell, it has a flat, leathery covering that helps it glide smoothly through the water

Named after the long, curved shape of its horns — which resemble a scimitar sword

One of its favorite snacks? Beetles and other crunchy bugs!

One of the few birds that feeds partly on blood—not in a harmful way

Females hide their young and eat the feces after nursing them, so no trail of their scents remains to entice predators

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

Sometimes called the “dry country plover” because of its preference for inland habitats, unlike its more coastal relatives

Chicks are skilled swimmers and divers, able to paddle through the water just hours after hatching

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

Has large eyes that could cover a field of 360o to survey their surroundings before they take a nap

African darters or ‘snakebirds’ are expert underwater fishermen equipped with stealth, diving skills, and a spear-like bill

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

Most endangered giraffe species is witnessing silent extinction

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

True to their name, they transform into protective balls when threatened, tucking their heads in for ultimate defense

Its sheer size and presence make it a dominant predator wherever it is found

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Master of conserving energy; it will rest in the shade to avoid wasting energy and overheating

Has the incredible ability to swallow eggs that are much larger than its own head

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

One of the easiest birds of prey to identify from a distance

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!

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

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

Mostly pale grey or white, but when the light hits just right, you’ll see a rosy-pink blush across their back and wings

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

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

Often called the “singer of the night,” it produces a complex and beautiful melody that has captivated people for centuries

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

Once found flying 11,300 meters (37,100 ft) high, sadly, this was more of an accident than a discovery

Known to nest surprisingly close to crocodiles!

Often seen as a symbol of strength, freedom, and keen vision in many African communities

With its striking appearance and distinctive call, it is often referred to as the “voice of Africa”

In some regions, they are regarded as messengers of the gods or as symbols of rain and fertility

Itd name means “tree snake” in Afrikaans and Dutch, a fitting description of its arboreal lifestyle

Notoriously grumpy, always putting on a dramatic hissy fit when approached

Known for their extremely long legs, which lift their bodies off the hot desert sand, helping to keep them cool

Despite its fearsome appearance, it is a shy and reclusive creature that would rather hide than confront a threat

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

They were commonly depicted in art from ancient Egypt

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

With lightning-fast speed and a keen sense of smell, this predator easily captures prey in the desert

An unrushed flyboy from Africa

Known for their impressive stamina and can travel long distances in search of food and water

Can deliver a painful bite, tail lashes, and fierce scratches — definitely a reptile to respect!

Their highly acidic stomachs and powerful enzymes help break down and neutralize harmful bacteria and toxins present in the carcasses they feed on

They are known to scavenge at rubbish dumps and around slaughterhouses, helping to dispose of animal byproducts and reducing potential health risks

A genetic mix of 72% grey wolf & 28% Ethiopian wolf was classified as an African variant of the golden jackal until 2015!

Smallest fox in the world, measuring almost 25 cm (10 in), but has enormous ears that can grow up to 15 cm (6 in)

One of the least researched canid species, partly because it lives in remote habitats

Can be easily identified by its larger ears, making it stand out from red and pale foxes

Racing to extinction: historically ranging throughout Africa to India, now distributed in small, fragmented populations

Size matters! The largest of the three elephant species and the largest extant terrestrial creature on our planet

White with a dark future! Victim of the myths, it is the biggest of the five rhino species

With 3 out of 8 subspecies have been declared extinct, illegal poaching puts these hooked upper lip rhinos in danger

85% successful kills! Yet irreversibly waning, it is among the most endangered canids in Africa

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

Often called ‘whispering’ bats because their echolocation used to access the area and prey location are low intensity and not strong

They don’t shoot quills—they let predators do the hard work by detaching them on contact!

These ‘sloppy animals’ tend to have a strong and unpleasant odor due to accumulated wastes in roosts

Highly mobile bats that tend to roost in hundreds to thousands of whatever shelters they can find

1.6 ton (1.5 tonne) + 48 km/h (30 mph) = what do you think?

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

Arabian ostrich, 1 of 4 subspecies, was hunted to extinction in mid-20th century

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