One of the largest woodpeckers in its range—about crow-sized—so when it drums, it can sound like someone hammering in the forest

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

Has one of the longest nonstop flights ever recorded for any bird

Almost went extinct… then boomed… then dipped again

Has the longest bill of any wading bird

On busy lakes, they often feed more at night, quietly cruising around to forage while everything else has calmed down

It’s technically a duck, but it’s big, upright, and long-legged enough that it often looks like a small goose

Often stop to feed in freshly plowed fields, taking advantage of insects disturbed by farming machinery

Crisp-feathered, fast-flying, and fearless in icy waters

Its boom has been compared to blowing across the top of a giant bottle — a sound low enough to feel in your chest on still mornings

Can scale slopes so steep that even experienced hikers wouldn’t dare attempt them

Unlike Syrian hamsters, they are rarely kept as pets

More active on overcast or slightly rainy days, when amphibians are abundant and easier to catch

Frequently hunts from a low perch, dropping quietly on prey rather than making long chases

Increasingly seen breeding at inland fishponds, reservoirs, and reclaimed wetlands, not just coastal areas

Among the rarer snakes that regularly include other snakes in their diet

It’s actually moustached, not bearded!

One of the last bats to go into hibernation and one of the first to wake up

Quietly thriving in a world of snow, stone, and thin mountain air

It actually shrinks its skull and brain during the cold months to conserve energy, then regrows them in spring

Its flight is nearly soundless, thanks to specially fringed wing feathers that disrupt air turbulence

Defies the usual “creature of the night” stereotype by thriving in open landscapes and often hunting boldly in daylight

So specialized in moth hunting that they have been called the “ghosts of the forest”

Highly site-faithful, often returning to the exact same nesting spot year after year

Has the largest wingspan of any pelican species, and among the very largest of any living bird

A bird that carries the rhythms of the seasons on its wings

Can blink and close their eyes while sleeping, something snakes cannot do

Observed using sticks as tools to extract insects from crevices—something once thought to be exclusive to primates

Despite its small frame, this eagle can take prey almost as large as itself

Local birdwatchers sometimes call it the “silver ghost of the grasslands”

Its name comes from its habit of preying on free-ranging domestic hens in medieval Europe—though such encounters are rare today

Only when cornered will it burst into flight, usually low and fast, showing its striking white wing patches

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

Looks ordinary—but transforms into one of the most extravagant birds during breeding season

Rarely causes harm since it lacks venom

One of the smallest wild geese in the Northern Hemisphere, only a bit bigger than a mallard

Can squeeze through shockingly small gaps if their head fits

One of the smallest mammals in the world, and yet it lives one of the most intense lives

A rugged, sure-footed symbol of the Caucasus Mountains, where Europe meets Asia

Can survive for long periods without drinking free-standing water

These owls have specialized feathers that make their flight nearly silent

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

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 Europe’s oldest surviving deer species

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

One of the fastest runners among hedgehogs

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

A big, harmless snake that likes to live near freshwater

The mosaic-shelled marvel of the Mediterranean

The rugged ancestor of the domestic goat

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

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

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

The “goiter” is a male feature

Sometimes called the “squirrels of the weasel family” due to their impressive arboreal abilities

Unlike many birds, their chicks can swim and dive just hours after hatching

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

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!

Sometimes mistaken for the North American ring-necked duck — but the tuft gives them away immediately

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!

To prepare for winter, they gather huge amounts of food – sometimes up to 65 kilograms – and store it in their burrows

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

Its venom is powerful, and a bite can be very serious

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

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

Quite noisy creatures which is a common sight in wetland areas

Can live for several decades under the right conditions, but grow slowly and only reach maturity after several years

Can live over 40 years—that’s the human equivalent of living nearly 500 years!

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

When threatened, they roll into a tight, spiky ball, tucking in their face, feet, and belly

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

Their horns are curved backward, resembling a hook or a pair of lyre-shaped instruments

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

One of the most hunted, widespread, ancient, and well-known game birds

A fascinating amphibian that is known for its distinctive appearance and behaviors that is formerly considered a subspecies of the banded newt. This species primarily inhabits parts of Turkey, Georgia, and the surrounding regions, thriving in a range of freshwater habitats. Their striking coloration and patterns typically characterize them. The skin of these newts is […]

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