Doesn’t care about rodents or birds — it’s all about the fish, frogs, and aquatic snacks

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

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

Its tongue can shoot out up to twice its body length in a fraction of a second

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

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

Camouflage game: legendary

They flip the script — literally!

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

Have super-flat bodies that help them slip into narrow rock crevices to hide from predators and escape the heat

Their name says it all!

Can take on a cobra with nothing but speed and confidence

Its big casque works like a built-in speaker, boosting their calls to echo powerfully across dense forests

Africa’s largest and most powerful kingfisher

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

Isn’t obsessed with fishing — in fact, it rarely fishes at all!

Despite the name, it rarely goes fishing!

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

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

Often considered as the smartest of all parrots

Often called the “leopard of the sky”

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

So rare and hard to find, that’s why they’re called “ghosts of the forest”

Gaboon viper has the largest fangs and highest venom yield of any snake on earth

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

Surprisingly photogenic, especially when the sun catches their reddish crown just right

Their wide, gaping mouths might look a little odd, but they’re perfect for scooping up moths and beetles mid-flight

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

Aren’t just dipping their toes in the water; they’re deep-sea divers with a serious appetite

Inhabiting humid forests in West Africa; they are the smallest of the three elephant species

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

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

Unlike the black mamba, the deadliest snake in Africa, it is less aggressive and more likely to retreat when threatened

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

Spend most of their time lurking in the thick reeds and grasses, only venturing out when they absolutely have to

Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!

A bat with a face that looks like it belongs on a comic superhero!

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

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

A bird as big as a crow but with feathers that shimmer an unbelievable shade of blue

Covered in tough, overlapping scales made of keratin — the same material human fingernails are made from

The biggest of all the hammerhead sharks, with a massive head that looks like a giant, flat hammer

Popular food fish, prized for its mild flavor and firm texture

Known to nest surprisingly close to crocodiles!

A champion swimmer and a social butterfly of the warm seas

They bob their heads up and down as they fly, which is actually how they earned the nickname “Noddy”

Known for their acrobatic leaps, twisting and turning gracefully as they jump completely out of the water

Often seen riding the bow waves of boats or performing acrobatic leaps out of the water

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”

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

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

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

They eat almost anything that comes their way – you name it, they’ll try to snack on it!

An unrushed flyboy from Africa

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

Speed and power embodied, they rule the seas with their sleek bodies and jaw-dropping leaping prowess

Fearless and formidable, these aggressive predators command respect in the waters they roam

Gentle giants of the sea, with mouths wide open to filter the ocean’s bounty

Majestic ocean predators, embodying power, speed, and precision in their pursuit of prey

Most diverse species of a gorilla; inhabits midwest 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 hold their food tightly and closely to their bodies while feeding, preventing the food from being stolen by other bats

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

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

Pinked patched endanger penguin

This species is found in all world oceans except the north Pacific Ocean

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

The master hunter and the bane of the bees

Professional marine forecasters to optimize breeding success and prey availability

The hammerheads of the bird kingdom

The fossil records suggest that this species has been on this planet for millions of years

This large heron is a firm believer in the adage: “Patience is the key to success”

The most numerous wild bird species in the world

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

Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see a fluffy tail on these birds – it’s a misnomer