Yes, they really do eat fish!

Tiny but terrifying (if you’re a bug)

These owls have specialized feathers that make their flight nearly silent

One of the largest owls in South Asia

Has the body of a duck, neck of a goose, and voice of a goose having a bad day

Have an awkwardly stiff gait, kind of like they’re walking in slow motion with exaggerated leg lifts

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

They’re the biggest otters in Asia

They flip the script — literally!

Timid by nature, often flying off at the slightest sign of danger

Have you ever seen one gliding through a stream or sunning itself by a quiet pond?

Famously linked to the production of a luxury coffee called kopi luwak

Need to escape? No problem! They can dive into water and swim powerfully using their tail like a paddle

Sometimes seen snatching food in mid-air or stealing prey from other birds — a behavior known as kleptoparasitism

A cavity nester — it uses its powerful beak to chisel out holes in tree trunks or dead wood

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

Famous snake-fighter — with strategy

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

An accomplished climber with the ability to glide!

They help carry the babies to the water in their mouths — gently, without harming them

Their calm behavior and massive size have earned them nicknames like the “gentle giants” of the jungle

One of the most iconic animals of the high Himalayas

One of the largest and most powerful wild bovines in the world

Its wool, shahtoosh, is so fine that a shawl made from it can pass through a wedding ring

Despite being called “blue sheep,” bharals are more closely related to goats than true sheep

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

Has an extraordinary ability to mimic human speech — better than almost any other bird on the planet

Even from day one, they’re already scrambling up slopes alongside their mothers!

This shy, nocturnal predator spends its life in open areas of grassland and cane fields but is rarely seen

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

Renowned for their spectacular aerial displays during courtship, including steep dives and intricate flight patterns

Native to Asia where they were first domesticated, the ancestors to all our chickens

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

While they may look graceful in flight, they are relatively slow flyers compared to many other birds

People who live near forests might hear this owl before they ever see it

Brilliant mimics, they can copy bird calls and even human-made sounds like car alarms and ringing phones!

A powerful constrictor that can grow longer than a school bus!

When disturbed, they may freeze and appear like a dead tree stump

An owl that meows like a cat

Also known as “barking deer” because of their loud, barking alarm calls

Sometimes mistaken for a crow because of its size and dark coloration

Their long noses help them climb trees by giving them extra grip on the branches

Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!

They don’t have eyelids, instead, they have a clear covering over their eyes that they lick to keep clean

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”

So elusive that it was once thought to be a myth or legend among local populations until its official discovery and documentation

Once hunted extensively for their meat and beautiful horns that pushed their numbers to dangerously low levels

Its scales are mistakenly believed to have medicinal properties, leading to a dangerous black market trade

A majestic scavenger with a wingspan wider than a car

The true eye-catcher is its head – completely bare with a shade of red, orange, or even yellow, depending on its age

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

Often seen as a symbol of strength, freedom, and keen vision in many African communities

Capable of making long leaps, thanks to their powerful hind legs

Notoriously difficult to spot due to their preference for dense, shadowy forest habitats

The “living tractors of the East”—vital in traditional agriculture, particularly in Asia

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

It’s dazzling plumage has earned it the nickname “nine-colored bird” in some cultures

Controller of arboreal birds and mammals populations in Asia’s tropical forests

Revered in many cultures for their beauty, grace, and symbolism of love and fidelity

This toad relies on “saltation” for movement, which means it jumps rather than walks

During breeding, they transform with elegant white plumage, adorned by decorative plumes on the head, neck, and back

It can catch insects that are disturbed by the animals’ movements

Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

Territorial and defends its territory aggressively against other birds

These birds are quite chatty, and their sounds are like a strong and determined rattling laugh

Adept hunters of freshwater snails and mollusks, using their specialized bills to extract their prey from their shells

They are skilled mimics, capable of imitating various sounds from their surroundings

With its splendid plumage, it has earned its place as a jewel of the skies

Their narrow wings, long forked tails, and streamlined bodies are perfectly designed for high-speed maneuvers

Its large eyes are equipped with highly sensitive retinas, which allow it to see in low light conditions

Despite their nickname “bearcat,” they are not related to bears or cats

With its towering stature and impressive antlers, is a true king of the Asian forests

A key player in keeping pesky insect populations in check and lending a hand in pollination

A lizard with vibrant hues – a living canvas of green, brown, and sometimes even blue

Aren’t afraid of bigger animals, and they’ve been known to fight off dogs and even leopards!

A desert dweller with a striking appearance, known for its small size, bushy tail, and distinctive black and white facial markings

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

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

With a gleaming golden coat and playful pounce, this fox proves that high-altitude living is no match for its wit and whimsy

Only look cuddly and cute; these cats can be very aggressive!

Meet the smallest wild cat in Asia but don’t be fooled by its cute looks – this feline is a skilled predator

A skilled predator with a unique coat and playful personality

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

Meet the world’s smallest mammal but a fierce predator

In Vietnam, these bears are caught, crammed into tiny cages, have their teeth removed to extract bile – sold as “medicine”

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

Disappearing graceful shadows, this tree-climber is on the way to extinction

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