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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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”

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

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

Underneath this colorful beak, there’s a hidden surprise – a built-in net for scooping up a delicious lunch!

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

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

Known for their graceful movements and the distinctive “S” shape of their neck

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

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

Prized for their beauty and believed to be associated with the Hindu god Vishnu

Their stiff, upright tail feathers aid them in swimming and diving

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

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

One of the rarest and most critically endangered crane species in the world

Nonvenomous but it’s hug can be as deadly as a venom!

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

They consistently display a restless demeanor and exhibit a distinctive, tail-trembling behavior

Exhibit powerful flight, with distinctive slow wing beats and an extended neck, defining features during their aerial 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

With lightning-fast speed and a keen sense of smell, this predator easily captures prey in the desert

These owls have specialized feathers that make their flight nearly silent

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

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

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

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

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

Speed and power embodied, they rule the seas with their sleek bodies and jaw-dropping leaping prowess

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

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

One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world

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

Stands out with its striking ocelli, or eye-like markings, that adorn its sleek body

A big, harmless snake that likes to live near freshwater

A small, burrowing snake that can’t see well but can smell its way to a tasty insect

Known for its docile and non-aggressive nature

This charismatic creature is not just a quilled beauty but also a skilled architect

Known for their impressive stamina and can travel long distances in search of food and water

A balanced diet for a healthy fox: fruits and insects!

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!

Can be easily identified by its larger ears, making it stand out from red and pale foxes

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

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

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

Racing to extinction: historically ranging throughout Africa to India, now distributed in small, fragmented populations

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

Their population distribution is often associated with human settlements as they are comfortable in both agricultural and urban habitats

The vanishing big cat of the cold, rugged Himalaya mountains is being executed by the humans

They hold their food tightly and closely to their bodies while feeding, preventing the food from being stolen by other bats

These ‘sloppy animals’ tend to have a strong and unpleasant odor due to accumulated wastes in roosts

Highly mobile bats that tend to roost in hundreds to thousands of whatever shelters they can find

These elegant acrobats perform a perfectly timed and skilled somersault as they approach their chosen resting site

A small, fierce predator known for its agility, hunting skills, and color-changing fur

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

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

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

There is more to this species than its majestic coat of thick white feathers and piercing yellow eyes

Aptly named after the goddesses of wisdom and war, little owls have lived alongside human civilizations since 500 BC

This bird looks like a modern mosaic art-piece

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

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

The largest of Old World barbets