Often watch people closely, sometimes following movement with slow head turns, as if studying what’s going on below them

Even in places where it lives, sightings can be rare because it stays hidden in dense, shady woods

When alarmed, it often points its bill straight up and stays still so it looks like just another reed stalk

It’s the “black-billed” stork in a white suit

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

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

Biggest “sandpiper” on the planet

It was “just a Mediterranean gull” until the 1970s

Stays hidden until you are nearly upon it, and it bursts from the grass in a sudden flurry

Has the longest bill of any wading bird

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

One of the few with webbing between its toes, helping it walk through water and grab slippery prey

Literally barks like a dog—hence the nickname “barking deer”

Its decline was so rapid and poorly tracked that conservationists only realized how critical the situation was in the early 2000s

For years it was lumped into “lesser sand plover”

The “cheetahs” of the deep ocean

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

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

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

Its distinct black-and-white pattern is a warning sign to predators—beautiful but deadly

Known for its calm and shy behavior, it’s one of the most docile snakes in Asia

Has one of the most complex venoms among Asian cobras

Its “eye spots” aren’t real eyes—they’re circular markings near its head that may help confuse predators or aid in camouflage

Its thin, translucent skin gives it a ghostly appearance under bright light

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

Very picky about their rivers—clean water, tall old trees, and plenty of fish

A leathery, flat-bodied turtle that looks part alien and part ancient relic

Sometimes called a “scaly anteater,” though it is not related to anteaters at all

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

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

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

Quietly appreciated by farmers because it helps control pest populations, especially rats and locusts, in agricultural areas

One of the most heavily farmed turtles in Asia

Sometimes called “Taiwanese rattlesnake” by locals—not because it rattles (it doesn’t), but because of its power and frequency of encounters

A bird that looks like it’s been carefully painted by an artist

One of the rarest birds in the world with feathers that change color depending on the season

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

May appear grayer when calm and brighter pink when active or overheated

Rarely seen in the wild, making it one of the most threatened turtles on Earth

Has a piercing yellow eyes with a default “surprised” look

Goofy-looking yet evolutionarily refined for life above the waves

Their skin actually darkens, just like a sunburn!

Yes, they really do eat fish!

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

Their faces start out pink and red when they’re young, but as they get older, they turn darker, almost brown or black

They flip the script — literally!

Sometimes seen snatching food in mid-air or stealing prey from other birds — a behavior known as kleptoparasitism

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

Can make clicking sounds up to 200 times per second to locate prey in cloudy waters where vision is limited

Officially designated as Natural Monument No. 205 and classified as a first-class endangered species in South Korea

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

Has an extraordinary ability to mimic human speech — better than almost any other bird on the planet

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

This shy, nocturnal predator spends its life in open areas of grassland and cane fields but is rarely seen

One of the rarest and most critically endangered crane species in the world

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

The flocks of this social and gregarious bird are fond of migration, flying over the horizon and creating a V-shaped formation

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

A powerful constrictor that can grow longer than a school bus!

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

Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!

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

Its imperial imagery and fierce demeanor have made it a symbol of power and nobility throughout history

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

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

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

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

These frogs don’t “croak”—their call sounds more like a dog’s bark!

Not just a pond fish but a cultural icon, especially in Japan where they are most famously cultivated

Revered in many cultures for their beauty, grace, and symbolism of love and fidelity

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

Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

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

Its broad wings enable it to glide effortlessly on air currents, often seen navigating the coastal winds

Its large eyes are equipped with highly sensitive retinas, which allow it to see in low light conditions

Their name comes from the distinctive folds or wrinkles on their lips which is essential for capturing prey in mid-flight

A key player in keeping pesky insect populations in check and lending a hand in pollination

A lizard with vibrant hues – a living canvas of green, brown, and sometimes even blue

They can be found basking in the sun with their fellow monitors, sharing warmth and companionship

Graceful and stealthy, these reef dwellers navigate the coral maze with finesse, showcasing their iconic black-tipped fins

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

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

As it grows older, it undergoes a metamorphosis that is nothing short of extraordinary

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

A skilled predator with a unique coat and playful personality

Fiercely territorial, marking their territory with scent to communicate with other otters

Disappearing graceful shadows, this tree-climber is on the way to extinction