There is more to this species than its majestic coat of thick white feathers and piercing yellow eyes

They flip the script — literally!

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

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

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

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

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

Can withstand harsh winter conditions, often remaining at sea even when the water is frozen

A bird that can change its color to match its surroundings!

Can hang upside down while feeding!

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

A tiny bird, one of the smallest in fact!

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

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

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

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

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

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

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

Known for their elaborate courtship dances, which involve leaping, bowing and trumpeting

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

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

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

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

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

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

Impressive flights but clumsy walking on the ground are observed in these birds due to awkward legs

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

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 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 most numerous wild bird species in the world

Most common of the Galliformes in the wild habituating subarctic Tundra can tolerate brutally cold winters

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

One of the very few birds with an upturned bill

Jack Sparrow of the bird kingdom

The penguins that can fly

Last of these beautifully glossy, black and white birds were hunted in 1844 off the coast of Iceland

This incredible bird can hold up to 30 fish in its beak at once

This bird can give any cross-country runner a run for their money

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

The most elegant of all godwit species

These enthusiastic travelers can be seen almost worldwide in different seasons

Dependable wings and a muscular build. Nope, we aren’t talking about the next Redbull ad campaign

This invasive species is the ancestor to most of the modern ducks

Extinct and reintroduced – What’s the story behind these so-called ‘flying barn doors’?

The yellow-eyed devil

Better call the ambulance before the Sparrowhawk comes to devour all those who are injured

They eat just about everything — rabbits, rodents, birds, carrion, earthworms, insects… even beetles get a look-in

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

Named after the black, curved marking on their backs that resembles a harp!

Believed to be only seen by scientists for 50 hours in the last 50 years