A reptile that can mimic the hues of nature and capture its feast with a tongue that’s like a thunder

Has the body of a duck, neck of a goose, and voice of a goose having a bad day

The only long-distance migratory dove in Europe

Timid by nature, often flying off at the slightest sign of danger

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

In Iceland, its arrival is eagerly awaited as it signifies the end of the harsh winter

One of the fastest runners among hedgehogs

A big, harmless snake that likes to live near freshwater

The mosaic-shelled marvel of the Mediterranean

Famous for stealing chips, sandwiches, and even ice cream right out of people’s hands

Excellent climbers, capable of scaling rocky slopes and walls with ease

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

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

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

Arguably among the most beautiful songbirds in the world — they enjoy singing after a rain shower

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

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

The masters of catching oysters, clams, and cockles

Brilliant mimics, they can copy bird calls and even human-made sounds like car alarms and ringing phones!

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

At the first sign of danger, it will quickly dive into the water and hide

Can hang upside down while feeding!

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

Can be quite friendly and will often come close to humans, especially if they’re offered food

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

The biggest bat you can find in Europe, with wings that can stretch out as wide as your arm!

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”

Its unique song is a cheerful, bubbly melody that’s a delight to hear

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

Its shell is a beautifully patterned dome that offers both protection and style

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

Also known as the Lemon-yellow tree frog, the Middle East tree frog

Known for their graceful movements and the distinctive “S” shape of their neck

Considered as one of the ancestors of all modern domestic sheep

Very loyal partners! Once they find a mate, they usually stay together for life

One of the most common reptile of the European wetlands

Their stiff, upright tail feathers aid them in swimming and diving

Can walk along the riverbed using its wings to stabilize itself against the current

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

Territorial and defends its territory aggressively against other birds

Their migratory behavior is often linked to the availability of insects for food

These birds are quite chatty, and their sounds are like a strong and determined rattling laugh

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

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

One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world

Stands out with its striking ocelli, or eye-like markings, that adorn its sleek body

With mesmerizing blend of bold blues, fiery reds, and sunshine yellows, it effortlessly catches the eye of all who cross its path

Resilient creature that can thrive in human-dominated environments

A small, burrowing snake that can’t see well but can smell its way to a tasty insect

Helpful for the ecosystem and agriculture as it reduces the number of pests and other dangerous snakes

With the agility of a nimble climber, it effortlessly slithers up trees and through tangled vegetation

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the world’s most widely distributed carnivore!

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

Meet the world’s smallest mammal but a fierce predator

Their population distribution is often associated with human settlements as they are comfortable in both agricultural and urban habitats

They hold their food tightly and closely to their bodies while feeding, preventing the food from being stolen by other bats

These elegant acrobats perform a perfectly timed and skilled somersault as they approach their chosen resting site

Their muzzle has wrinkled lips, which makes them look like a dog’s face, and is commonly called a bulldog bat

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

Aptly named after the goddesses of wisdom and war, little owls have lived alongside human civilizations since 500 BC

This bird looks like a modern mosaic art-piece

This cute and small bird is one of the most elite hunters below the water’s surface

The iconic and elegant bird with a curved pink bill is known for turning heads

This bird is unmistakable for its namesake, spoon-shaped bill

These birds seem to have lost their way to the beauty pageant

Exhibit powerful flight, with distinctive slow wing beats and an extended neck, defining features during their aerial movements

Its neck is insanely long and super flexible, giving it a slinky, snake-like appearance when it hunts

The songbird that occasionally eats bats

The master aerial diver and swooper

The most widely dispersed wild bird

One of the best avian vocal mimics

Like those bulging red eyes weren’t scary enough, they eat their innocent chicks when hungry

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

The national bird of Pakistan and Iraq is known to improve degraded ecosystems by aiding in the dispersal and germination of seeds

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

The only member of the genus having wide distribution across Asia and Africa is sociable, unlike other members of its family

The stork with the widest geographic range