Haul out on ice during the winter months to rest, molt, and give birth — yes, ice!

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

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 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

One of the fastest runners among hedgehogs

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

Some of the fastest animals in Asia, capable of reaching speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph)

A big, harmless snake that likes to live near freshwater

An incredible climber — it can scale almost vertical cliffs and jump across wide gaps with ease

Known as the “Marco Polo sheep,” it was first described by the explorer during his Central Asia travels

Known for its bright red belly, a bold warning to predators, combined with its distinctive “whoop” call

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

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

Like miniature tanks, built for survival in some seriously harsh climates

Their keen vision enables them to scan vast landscapes, identifying small movements or potential prey items even from high altitudes

Their webbed feet act like tiny paddles, propelling them through the water with surprising speed and agility

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

Its long, serrated beak, often called a “sawbill,” is perfectly adapted for catching slippery prey like fish

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

It is one of the most widespread and familiar amphibians 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

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

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

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

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!

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

One of the biggest owls in the world, but don’t let its size fool you – it’s actually quite light!

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

Unlike rabbits, they don’t live in burrows, instead, they make shallow nests in the grass called forms

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

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

The smallest of all the crane species and is known for its elegance and grace

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

Male undergo a striking transformation during a short breeding window, displaying a vibrant blue color

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

Imagine a mammal that blends the features of a mole with a rat, but with a surprisingly luxurious tail!

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

Can switch from winter white to summer grey – truly a nature’s savvy survivors!

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

One of the most common reptile of the European wetlands

Their stiff, upright tail feathers aid them in swimming and diving

A warty amphibian with golden eyes

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

They have the ability to regenerate lost limbs and other body parts, a superpower in the animal kingdom!

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

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

Recognizable by their distinctive and familiar call, resembling the noise of small pebbles colliding, creating a “tak tak” sound

Recent findings suggest that this giant rhinoceros coexisted with early modern humans, Neanderthals, and various other Pleistocene megafauna

Known for their impressive stamina and can travel long distances in search of food and water

Nature’s masterpiece, with a snout that steals the spotlight

The furry flat-tailed mammal that builds its own aquatic empire

A sly, sandy-furred survivor of Central Asian grasslands, threatened by human activity but fiercely protected by conservationists

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

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

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

They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 30 seconds underwater

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

The second largest bear, right after the polar bear. Sadly, it well might top the list soon

Their population distribution is often associated with human settlements as they are comfortable in both agricultural and urban habitats

The vanishing big cat of the cold, rugged Himalaya mountains is being executed by the humans

These elegant acrobats perform a perfectly timed and skilled somersault as they approach their chosen resting site

Their muzzle has wrinkled lips, which makes them look like a dog’s face, and is commonly called a bulldog bat

This charismatic creature is not just a quilled beauty but also a skilled architect

The smallest carnivorous predator in the world and so have limited fat stores and need to eat more than 50% of the body weight

Widely distributed in Europe and Asia and tolerant to habitat modification

A small, fierce predator known for its agility, hunting skills, and color-changing fur

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

Aptly named after the goddesses of wisdom and war, little owls have lived alongside human civilizations since 500 BC

This bird looks like a modern mosaic art-piece

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

The iconic and elegant bird with a curved pink bill is known for turning heads

This bird is unmistakable for its namesake, spoon-shaped bill

The fossil records suggest that this species has been on this planet for millions of years