A reptile that can mimic the hues of nature and capture its feast with a tongue that’s like a thunder

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

These owls have specialized feathers that make their flight nearly silent

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

They’re always close to the reeds, but just bold enough to be seen

They flip the script — literally!

The only long-distance migratory dove in Europe

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

One of Europe’s oldest surviving deer species

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

In Iceland, its arrival is eagerly awaited as it signifies the end of the harsh winter

One of the few mammals that swims using its back feet, not its front ones

Famous for stealing chips, sandwiches, and even ice cream right out of people’s hands

Once you’ve heard them laugh, it’s hard to forget!

Believed to use Earth’s magnetic field to help them navigate vast ocean distances

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

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

Their favorite snack? Large insects like locusts and dragonflies

The smallest of falcons in the entirety of America, but you would be mistaken to take this bird lightly

The gardener’s best friend, as they will eat up insect pests crawling in the vegetable beds

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

Arguably among the most beautiful songbirds in the world — they enjoy singing after a rain shower

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

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

The masters of catching oysters, clams, and cockles

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

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Sometimes called the “squirrels of the weasel family” due to their impressive arboreal abilities

Its appearance is what really sets it apart—it looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie

At the first sign of danger, it will quickly dive into the water and hide

Can hang upside down while feeding!

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!

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

Can be quite friendly and will often come close to humans, especially if they’re offered food

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

Only males possess a unique, inflatable, balloon-like nose that they can inflate into a large red shape

Doesn’t have venom, so you don’t need to worry about it if you see one

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

You might mistake it for a big squirrel, but it’s smaller and has a more delicate appearance

The biggest bat you can find in Europe, with wings that can stretch out as wide as your arm!

Considered a sacred bird by ancient Egyptians, often depicted in their art and mythology

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”

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

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

Instead of hopping like other toads, they have a funny little walk, almost like they’re running!

When winter comes, they bury themselves in the mud and basically freeze solid!

Can live for several decades under the right conditions, but grow slowly and only reach maturity after several years

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

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

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

One of the rarest and most endangered eagle species in the world

They spread faster than any other colonizing mammal in the world

Often lives close to humans and is sometimes seen as a pest

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

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

A warty amphibian with golden eyes

Covered in small, bumpy warts that can even have sharp points

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

One of the most hunted, widespread, ancient, and well-known game birds

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

Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

Their migratory behavior is often linked to the availability of insects for food

Recognizable by their distinctive and familiar call, resembling the noise of small pebbles colliding, creating a “tak tak” sound

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

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

One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world

Meet the smallest and rarest sea turtle in the world

Resilient creature that can thrive in human-dominated environments

The furry flat-tailed mammal that builds its own aquatic empire

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

It was on the brink of extinction only 20 years ago; now, the population is reviving thanks to conservation measures implemented

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

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

Meet the world’s smallest mammal but a fierce predator

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

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

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

The smallest carnivorous predator in the world and so have limited fat stores and need to eat more than 50% of the body weight