Known to “ride out” massive tropical storms by flying into the calm eye of the hurricane

Remains as one of the most resilient residents of the tropics

When it’s time to migrate, they don’t just fly; they go into orbit

Sitting still, it can look like a scruffy brown bird; in flight it flashes bright white wings and suddenly looks totally different

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

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

Before their 3,000-mile flight, they become “hyperphagic,” eating until fat makes up nearly half of their body weight

Has the longest bill of any wading bird

The “cheetahs” of the deep ocean

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

The most widespread species of snakes on earth are found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans and from Africa to Central America

They love mud baths, wallowing not only to cool off but also to protect their skin from parasites

One of the lesser-known members of the dolphin family, despite its dramatic name

Their skin actually darkens, just like a sunburn!

They love fruit so much that a big part of their day is basically “find fruit, eat fruit, move to next fruit”

They flip the script — literally!

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

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

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

They’re gloriously messy when they eat: Juice drips, pulp falls, seeds drop—precisely what the forest needs to keep regenerating

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

Sometimes it looks like a shadow, not a bird

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

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

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

Its slender frame and narrow head bear a beak curved like a hawk’s, earning this marine marvel its name

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

The most ice-associated baleen whale, often found right at the frozen frontier where krill thrives

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

These birds spend weeks in the air and hunt, preen and even sleep while in flight

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

Goofy-looking yet evolutionarily refined for life above the waves

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

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

They dance along with their gorgeous red tails to attract partners in a faithful courtship

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

The Cuckoo Roller is seen as a good omen – particularly by couples in love!

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

This bird has learned how to use a spear and made it an extension of itself

One of the UK’s rarest breeding seabird

The mysterious diver of the ocean is the largest and only sea turtle without a hard shell and scales

Largest hard-shelled sea turtle on earth