A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

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

Known for their vibrant colors, which can change rapidly in response to their environment, mood, or social interactions

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!

A bat with a face that looks like it belongs on a comic superhero!

Males are particularly eye-catching with their black and white plumage, looking like they’re wearing a little tuxedo

Instead of a bony shell, it has a flat, leathery covering that helps it glide smoothly through the water

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

Often called the “singer of the night,” it produces a complex and beautiful melody that has captivated people for centuries

A bird as big as a crow but with feathers that shimmer an unbelievable shade of blue

Covered in tough, overlapping scales made of keratin — the same material human fingernails are made from

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”

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

Covered in thick golden fur with a touch of green, which is how they get their common name

Often seen riding the bow waves of boats or performing acrobatic leaps out of the water

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”

Itd name means “tree snake” in Afrikaans and Dutch, a fitting description of its arboreal lifestyle

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

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

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

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

They are known to scavenge at rubbish dumps and around slaughterhouses, helping to dispose of animal byproducts and reducing potential health risks

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

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

Distinguished by its impressive array of quills that can be erected into a striking crest, it represents one of the most formidable rodent species in terms of defense mechanisms. These quills, which cover the animal from its head down its back, are not only visually striking but also serve as a critical tool for self-preservation. […]

1.6 ton (1.5 tonne) + 48 km/h (30 mph) = what do you think?

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

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

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

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

These owls are strictly nocturnal and generalist hunters, preying on moths, scorpions, birds, rodents, and everything in between

If you ever forget the tune of a song, don’t worry; this bird has your back

This species is found in all world oceans except the north Pacific Ocean

These petrels stylishly ride the ocean waves like they own the winds

Impressive flights but clumsy walking on the ground are observed in these birds due to awkward legs

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

Professional marine forecasters to optimize breeding success and prey availability

These ocean wanderers can be spotted from a distance showing awe-inspiring aerial tricks

The hammerheads of the bird kingdom

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”

Living around smelly brackish marshes is unthinkable, but these birds love their isolated habitat or don’t have a sense of smell

Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see a fluffy tail on these birds – it’s a misnomer

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

This Nature’s cleaners are the largest & heaviest living stork

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

The folktale bird that brings the babies!

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

One of the very few birds with an upturned bill

Elegant long-legged wader, common almost worldwide

The janitors of the bird world

Jack Sparrow of the bird kingdom

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

This bird holds the record of the longest distance flown by any bird in recorded history

Global Warming got nothing on this bird

Looks no less than a renaissance masterpiece

The most elegant of all godwit species

These enthusiastic travelers can be seen almost worldwide in different seasons

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

The yellow-eyed devil

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

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

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

Inhabiting humid forests in West Africa; they are the smallest of the three elephant species

Thought to be the goddess of the sea known as “Maame Water” in many coastal legends of western Africa

Live in harmony with a parasite causes the deadly Sleeping sickness in humans

Appeared in Egyptian paintings from 300 B.C., it is known as “Pharaoh’s cat” and is considered a holy animal that is housed in temples

Inhabits water bodies in sub-Saharan Africa’s savannahs

Well known for their ferocity, these fearless little creatures are always ready to take on an entire pride of lions

Owners of the longest legs-for-body-size of all cats are widespread in sub-Saharan savannahs

There is still a lot to learn about this already threatened species

Secrete a red substance through their skin to protect them from extreme sunlight, creating the myth that they sweat blood

They are also known as the “black death” or “widowmaker,” which says a lot about them – dangerous!

Females hide their young and eat the feces after nursing them, so no trail of their scents remains to entice predators

Unlike most mammals, male water chevrotains are smaller than the female

Widely distributed and the only pigs that live in grasslands

They have complex stomachs that allow them to digest mature or toxic foliage that other monkeys cannot