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

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

One of the deepest-diving ducks

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

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

Honestly looks like a character from an animated movie!

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

Their toes grow comblike scales in winter, helping them walk on snow

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

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

Superb gliders and can travel hundreds of kilometers in a day, riding winds with barely a wingbeat

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

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

Europe’s smallest owl and one of its most fearless predators

It’s actually moustached, not bearded!

Though it lives in harsh terrain, it tolerates both hard desert surfaces and salt flats (sabkhas)

Spend considerable time basking early in the day, which makes them appear almost “sun-worshipping”

Can “swim” through sand just like a fish moves through water!

One of the few cormorants adapted strictly to marine life, rarely venturing inland except during severe storms

Can survive in scorching summer heat over 40°C (104°F) and freezing winters below zero

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

Often prefers herbs with medicinal properties, which may help preserve its haypiles from mold and rot

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

Known for their intelligence—can use tools, solve problems, and even recognize human faces

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

One of the most charming doves you’re likely to encounter

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

Despite its name, it’s a true boa—just one of the smallest in the world!

Its wide distribution has made it a bit of a “jack-of-all-trades” viper

The largest of all gerbils—think “hamster on steroids”

Rarely causes harm since it lacks venom

A graceful wild bird of Asia’s wetlands and the ancestor of a beloved domestic breed

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

Surprisingly clean, not what you think of when you picture a badger

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

A gentle neighbor of the grasslands—perfectly designed for a life between sunshine, soil, and sky

Big, golden, and built for mountains

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

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

With thick coats that help them survive freezing Central Asian temperatures

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

The “goiter” is a male feature

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

Often called the “shadow of the taiga” because of its elusive nature and swift movements in the forest

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

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!

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

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