A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Unlike the black mamba, the deadliest snake in Africa, it is less aggressive and more likely to retreat when threatened

Has the incredible ability to swallow eggs that are much larger than its own head

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

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

Spend most of their time lurking in the thick reeds and grasses, only venturing out when they absolutely have to

Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

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

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

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

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

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

Notoriously grumpy, always putting on a dramatic hissy fit when approached

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

Their horizontal pupils give them a permanently surprised expression

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

They were commonly depicted in art from ancient Egypt

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

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

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

It holds significant cultural and spiritual importance in African cultures, often associated with wisdom, longevity, and good fortune

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

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

Size matters! The largest of the three elephant species and the largest extant terrestrial creature on our planet

With 3 out of 8 subspecies have been declared extinct, illegal poaching puts these hooked upper lip rhinos in danger

85% successful kills! Yet irreversibly waning, it is among the most endangered canids in Africa

Much larger than any other ape, it is the rarest of two gorillas species

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

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

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

This bird holds a Guinness book of world records to its name

The hammerheads of the bird kingdom

One of the most bizarre creatures you can ever lay your eyes upon

The fossil records suggest that this species has been on this planet for millions of years

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”

The most numerous wild bird species in the world

One of the best avian vocal mimics

These birds were once hunted for their beautiful crimson flight feathers

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

Smallest raptor of Africa with a heart bigger than lion’s

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

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

Their dull mousy-brown color justifies the name pretty well

They can support their whole body weight on a single toenail! I wonder how many steps long their nail care routine is

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 colorful stork of Africa

The stork with the widest geographic range

The folktale bird that brings the babies!

An unrushed flyboy from Africa

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

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

Insect-eating, tree-dwelling, and an incredible co-partner. That said, there’s nothing uninteresting about this one

What does a 29 km/h (18 mph) speed coupled with a massive wingspan bring to the table? A ‘vulnerable to extinction’ title isn’t something anybody would hope for

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

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

They’re known as ‘old world vultures’ endemic to Africa and the first ones to get a whiff of corpses

The yellow-eyed devil

The sturdy body complimented with broad wings make these raptors one of a kind

The African giant vulture has a wingspan up to 2.80 m (9 ft) wide

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

African rock dwellers that resemble pikas , but are more closely related to elephants!

Often referred to as “scaly anteaters” due to their diet and appearance

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

Living in troops, a real-life example of “All for one, and one for all”

These zebras with the underbelly stripes are the longest migrators in 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

Also known as Laughing Hyena, it gets chewed a lot for being cruddy and a good-for-nothing scavenger!

Inhabits water bodies in sub-Saharan Africa’s savannahs

They are also called ‘zorilla’ which comes from the Spanish word ‘zorro’, meaning small fox, but they are not fox