Despite its short stature, it’s a strong and fast flier

Thrives in hot, dry environments like savannas, semi-deserts, and open shrublands

Their skin isn’t just pretty — it’s thick and bumpy, helping them retain moisture and deal with harsh, dry environments

Carrion? Nah, I prefer coconuts

And they live up to the name — these little antelopes are known for diving headfirst into thickets when spooked

Has double-jointed ankles that let it bend its legs backward, forward, and sideways

Looks like a desert-dwelling fox and a meerkat had a sandy little sidekick

One of the largest and most widespread baboon species in Africa

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

Flying? Only when absolutely necessary

Its tail acts as a personal parasol, shading its body from the intense African sun

They flip the script — literally!

Natural-born climber, capable of leaping with incredible agility across steep cliffs and boulder-strewn slopes

Its call—a soft, sweet “chee-chee” or chattering trill—can often be heard before the bird itself is seen

Often preyed upon by mongooses, who seem to have no fear of their venom

The fun-sized falcon of the forest, but with all the attitude of a full-grown eagle

They are, without a doubt, some of the smartest and most entertaining birds out there!

Sing most actively at dawn, often creating a haunting, flute-like melody just as the desert wakes up

Africa’s largest and most powerful kingfisher

Natural alarm clocks in African cities — whether you want them or not!

Some of the earliest risers — often calling before sunrise

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

One of its favorite snacks? Beetles and other crunchy bugs!

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

Surprisingly photogenic, especially when the sun catches their reddish crown just right

Their wide, gaping mouths might look a little odd, but they’re perfect for scooping up moths and beetles mid-flight

As South Africa’s national bird, they’re not just a symbol; they’re a living embodiment of the country’s spirit

Their favorite snack? Large insects like locusts and dragonflies

Has large eyes that could cover a field of 360o to survey their surroundings before they take a nap

African darters or ‘snakebirds’ are expert underwater fishermen equipped with stealth, diving skills, and a spear-like bill

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

Has the incredible ability to swallow eggs that are much larger than its own head

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

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

Spend most of their time lurking in the thick reeds and grasses, only venturing out when they absolutely have to

It’s a frog, but it doesn’t look like the typical frogs we think of!

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

Have been observed remembering the locations of their impaled prey and even using tools to help them catch food

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

It holds significant cultural and spiritual importance in African cultures, often associated with wisdom, longevity, and good fortune

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”

Notoriously grumpy, always putting on a dramatic hissy fit when approached

Known for its loud, ‘guttural’ croak that can be heard from a distance

The national animal of South Africa and even lend their name to a South African rugby team

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

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

Can deliver a painful bite, tail lashes, and fierce scratches — definitely a reptile to respect!

One of Africa’s largest and most powerful lizards

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

These birds are built for flight; their massive wings allow them to glide effortlessly on thermal currents for hours

A tiny wonder of the animal kingdom that embodies both elegance and resilience

It can climb, swim, and run faster than you might expect from an animal that weighs just a few kilograms

When it comes to hunting skills, this cat proves that good things come in small packages

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

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

The most cosmopolitan of owls with home ranges extending across the globe

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

The master hunter and the bane of the bees

This bird holds a Guinness book of world records to its name

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

The hammerheads of the bird kingdom

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

These birds seem to have lost their way to the beauty pageant

This large heron is a firm believer in the adage: “Patience is the key to success”

The most widely dispersed wild bird

The most numerous wild bird species in the world

Native to Africa, it is the best-known bird of its family, broadly introduced as domesticated species

At the speed of over 321 km/h (200 mph), this bird outraces a Formula1 car

The only member of the genus having wide distribution across Asia and Africa is sociable, unlike other members of its family

Their dull mousy-brown color justifies the name pretty well

As the name suggests, this whitish stork has a bright red face and a distinctively long yellow bill

The stork with the widest geographic range

The folktale bird that brings the babies!

One of the very few birds with an upturned bill

Elegant long-legged wader, common almost worldwide

This bird can give any cross-country runner a run for their money

Looks no less than a renaissance masterpiece

These enthusiastic travelers can be seen almost worldwide in different seasons

Insect-eating, tree-dwelling, and an incredible co-partner. That said, there’s nothing uninteresting about this one

What does a 29 km/h (18 mph) speed coupled with a massive wingspan bring to the table? A ‘vulnerable to extinction’ title isn’t something anybody would hope for

Dependable wings and a muscular build. Nope, we aren’t talking about the next Redbull ad campaign

A highly intelligent species that is the world’s only tool-using vulture with a long migratory range

The yellow-eyed devil

They eat just about everything — rabbits, rodents, birds, carrion, earthworms, insects… even beetles get a look-in

A magnificent migratory bird with long, broad wings and a short tail that sings in the form of musical whistles

The only living creature that feeds on bone marrow from carcasses in high and inaccessible mountain areas

One of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution habituating all continents except Antarctica

A long-legged bird with a stunning black feather crest on its back head

African rock dwellers that resemble pikas , but are more closely related to elephants!

Dig large subterranean burrows that other animals can hide in during fires, hence preventing wildlife deaths

The direct ancestor of the domestic cat—no wonder why they look so alike!