Known to “ride out” massive tropical storms by flying into the calm eye of the hurricane

Remains as one of the most resilient residents of the tropics

During the winter, they are one of the few gull species that becomes truly pelagic

Often called the “tern in a gull’s body”

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

A bird that looks like a cross between a sleek chicken and a neon-painted waterfowl

Possesses a unique physical defense mechanism: the “laterally compressed” body

Doesn’t perch across a branch like most birds; it perches lengthwise along the limb

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

When a covey takes flight, the sound is so loud and sudden that it’s often compared to a small firework going off

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

One of the most dedicated vegetarians in the waterfowl world

Do “whistles” over the “quacks”

Famous (and sometimes infamous) for their love of rice.

That thick bill isn’t just for show; it helps it handle large insects (and sometimes more)

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

People expect rails to be chunky marsh birds—this one is tiny, almost pocket-sized

Has an impressive ability to stay perfectly still for long periods

It’s bigger than many people expect

Once believed that their frequent calling was a sure sign that a thunderstorm was on its way

Have specialized glands that help them manage the high-salinity environment of the coast

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

These gulls aren’t scavengers; they are specialized insect eaters.

One of the smallest stiff-tailed ducks in the Americas

Have a specialized reflective layer behind the retina to help them see in near-total darkness.

One of the most geographically restricted hawks in the world

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

A heavyweight champ — elegant, yes, but you don’t want to mess with that beak

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

One of the most admired warblers across the continent

Can detect fruit ripeness from several meters away—a skill that rivals that of many birds

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

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

Their guano deposits have historically been harvested as fertilizer

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

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

The “giant of the swamp”

A bird that quietly keeps the environment clean

Their skin actually darkens, just like a sunburn!

They flip the script — literally!

Sometimes seen hanging from cave entrances at night to snatch bats mid-flight

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

Crabs make up over 90% of their diet

Got its name from the bony, horn-like bumps on its snout that resemble a rhino’s horns

These creatures often ingest stones, aiding food digestion and buoyancy regulation in the water

It’s the classic white-headed, grey-backed “seagull” of postcards and cartoons

Capable of living surprisingly long lives in some of the harshest, stormiest environments on Earth

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

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

Larger than most of its rainforest cousins, and has a rugged look that sets it apart

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

The smallest of falcons in the entirety of America, but you would be mistaken to take this bird lightly

One of the most dazzling waterbirds of the Americas, often described as a “swamp jewel”

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

While they are famous for stealing fries, they have a very ancient, natural hunting technique called “foot-paddling”

Unlike most mammals, it has special grooves in its lower incisors that is used to inject venom on its prey

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

Can walk across soft, sinking mud and floating mats of vegetation without sinking

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

The smallest of the eight pelican species

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

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

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”

They don’t build their own nests – they cleverly take over burrows abandoned by prairie dogs, ground squirrels, or even tortoises!

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

Can build hundreds of nests in a single palm tree

The colorful and stylish national bird of Haiti

In the late 1800s, a single ounce of its feathers could be worth more than gold

They eat almost anything that comes their way – you name it, they’ll try to snack on it!

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

One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world

Their neck vertebrae have a hinge mechanism that allows it to dart its long neck and pierce its prey quickly

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

Cannot land on water because their feathers are not waterproof