Despite traveling across entire hemispheres, they often return to the exact same marsh or mudflat

Often called the “shorebird that forgot the shore”

Famous for nesting in the most inconvenient places possible

The elusive “monarch of the mangroves” and the high-altitude forests of the Caribbean

Notoriously high-strung and are often the first ducks to take flight at the slightest hint of danger

Do “whistles” over the “quacks”

Despite being tiny fluff-balls, they are so light that they almost always bounce and walk away unharmed

May look completely exhausted or even injured, but they are simply soaking up the morning warmth to warm their bodies quickly

These sharp-eyed birds have been known to swoop down and snatch up the tiny, newly hatched turtles

The very tip of the bill has special “pits” that can detect the vibrations of a moving fish in murky water

One of the few shorebirds that can handle small fish and even lizards

Its sound is one of the most iconic sounds of the American summer

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

These birds perform a massive, circular migration that covers nearly 32,000 km (20,000 miles) annually

One of the smallest stiff-tailed ducks in the Americas

Weighs about as much as a couple of slices of bread and is barely bigger than a sparrow

The “cheetahs” of the deep ocean

Symbols of open summer fields and joyful wild song

Under certain angles, the feathers can look almost black

Black feathers, white cap, sleek shape — it’s the tuxedo of the bird world

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

Their “lemon” color actually changes slightly depending on light and habitat

Though they possess venomous spines near the base of their tail, they rarely use them except in self-defense

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

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

Surprisingly aggressive for a bird with a sunny name

Their skin actually darkens, just like a sunburn!

Loves to drink sweet nectar—just like a hummingbird!

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

Crabs make up over 90% of their diet

Once you’ve heard them laugh, it’s hard to forget!

These birds ride ocean breezes for miles without flapping much at all

Often described as the “compact” version of the plover family

Even though it’s an ocean bird, it raises its chick in hidden burrows high on Hispaniola

Despite their size, they are surprisingly buoyant and can sit high on the water like boats

The smallest of the eight pelican species

Got a long tail, a big head, and a curved bill with little grooves on it – that’s where its name comes from

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

Got the looks of a hawk with the scavenging habits of a vulture

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

Fearless defenders of their nests and chicks, often taking on much larger animals or humans if they perceive a threat

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”

Charming little parrot with a personality as bright as its feathers

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

Famous for its habit of standing on one leg

Excellent problem-solvers and can figure out how to open tough fruit or reach hidden food

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

Majestic giants of the sea, they peacefully glide through the ocean with mouths agape, filtering the waters for sustenance

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

One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world

Its slender frame and narrow head bear a beak curved like a hawk’s, earning this marine marvel its name

An impressively acrobatic bird that can catch flying fish mid-jump

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

Cannot land on water because their feathers are not waterproof

Goofy-looking yet evolutionarily refined for life above the waves

These petrels stylishly ride the ocean waves like they own the winds

Professional marine forecasters to optimize breeding success and prey availability

These ocean wanderers can be spotted from a distance showing awe-inspiring aerial tricks

The most widely dispersed wild bird

The scarlet ambush hunter

The pocket-sized falcon with an eagle’s attitude

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

Those impossibly long legs allow it to wade into deeper water than other shorebirds of its size

Elegant long-legged wader, common almost worldwide

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

So unafraid of humans that they will often swim right up to curious travelers

One of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution habituating all continents except Antarctica

The mysterious diver of the ocean is the largest and only sea turtle without a hard shell and scales

Largest hard-shelled sea turtle on earth

From the US down to Brazil, this trans-American lizard is the most common iguana