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

Prefers to walk the Earth like a feathered tank, only flying when necessary — wings are for backup, not daily use

Not your backyard nut hoarder

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

Changing its look based on mood, light, and temperature — not to match your couch

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

One of Africa’s largest and most powerful birds of prey—a true apex predator of the skies

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

They flip the script — literally!

The only long-distance migratory dove in Europe

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

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!

Known for its distinctive black-and-white coloring and its loud, flute-like calls—which is how it gets its name

Despite the name, it rarely goes fishing!

One of Africa’s most majestic and powerful antelopes, known for its robust build and horse-like stature

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 its favorite snacks? Beetles and other crunchy bugs!

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”

Females hide their young and eat the feces after nursing them, so no trail of their scents remains to entice predators

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

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

Their favorite snack? Large insects like locusts and dragonflies

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

The masters of catching oysters, clams, and cockles

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

Has a long, white beard and mustache, which give it a wise and dignified appearance

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

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

One of the easiest birds of prey to identify from a distance

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!

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

Males are particularly eye-catching with their black and white plumage, looking like they’re wearing a little tuxedo

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

Often called the “singer of the night,” it produces a complex and beautiful melody that has captivated people for centuries

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

Once found flying 11,300 meters (37,100 ft) high, sadly, this was more of an accident than a discovery

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

Covered in thick golden fur with a touch of green, which is how they get their common name

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”

In some regions, they are regarded as messengers of the gods or as symbols of rain and fertility

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

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

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!

Their highly acidic stomachs and powerful enzymes help break down and neutralize harmful bacteria and toxins present in the carcasses they feed on

They are known to scavenge at rubbish dumps and around slaughterhouses, helping to dispose of animal byproducts and reducing potential health risks

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

Opportunistic predators of the open ocean, their aggressive and persistent feeding behaviour strikes fear into the hearts of their prey

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

Racing to extinction: historically ranging throughout Africa to India, now distributed in small, fragmented populations

85% successful kills! Yet irreversibly waning, it is among the most endangered canids in 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