Often finds food by feel, probing soft ground and sensing hidden prey it can’t even see

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

The only booby species in the world that nests in tall rainforest trees instead of on cliffs or beaches

One of the ocean’s “mystery birds”

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

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

Has the longest bill of any wading bird

It’s the smallest of all baboon species, but still tough enough to handle life in open savannas

Looks hedgehog-ish, but it’s not related

If you’re not on Aldabra, you’re not seeing one in the wild

Often stop to feed in freshly plowed fields, taking advantage of insects disturbed by farming machinery

Its boom has been compared to blowing across the top of a giant bottle — a sound low enough to feel in your chest on still mornings

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

Its thin, translucent skin gives it a ghostly appearance under bright light

Has one of the most striking appearances of any African bat

A bird that carries the rhythms of the seasons on its wings

Despite its small frame, this eagle can take prey almost as large as itself

A bird that adds both music and style to any landscape it inhabits

Famous for very long migrations between Arctic breeding grounds and coastal wintering areas

In winter, they’re plain grey and white, but in the Arctic summer, they turn into a glowing rusty red

Looks ordinary—but transforms into one of the most extravagant birds during breeding season

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

The only sawfish known to spend long stretches of its life in freshwater lakes, not just rivers or coasts

Their skin actually darkens, just like a sunburn!

Despite its short stature, it’s a strong and fast flier

Yes, they really do eat fish!

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

They flip the script — literally!

The only long-distance migratory dove in Europe

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

A very capable walker and may travel long distances over land in search of new water bodies

When faced with hard-shelled prey, this gull simply flies up and drops it onto rocks — no tools, no problem

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

Their favorite snack? Large insects like locusts and dragonflies

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

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

One of only two bat species found in the Seychelles, along with the Seychelles fruit bat

Unlike many birds, their chicks can swim and dive just hours after hatching

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

Often called the “vulture of the seas” because of its scavenging habits

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

When danger is near, it will freeze completely, blending into the ground

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With a robust body adorned in iridescent hues of emerald and turquoise, it is an underwater jewel that dazzles the eye

These gentle giants are making a big comeback and now there are lots of them to see and meet!

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

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

Goofy-looking yet evolutionarily refined for life above the waves

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

These petrels stylishly ride the ocean waves like they own the winds

The iconic and elegant bird with a curved pink bill is known for turning heads

Professional marine forecasters to optimize breeding success and prey availability

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

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

The most widely dispersed wild bird

Living around smelly brackish marshes is unthinkable, but these birds love their isolated habitat or don’t have a sense of smell

Rather than hovering constantly, they often glide and make short flutters to conserve energy in open landscapes

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

The folktale bird that brings the babies!

Elegant long-legged wader, common almost worldwide

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

This bird holds the record of the longest distance flown by any bird in recorded history

The most elegant of all godwit species

Famous for chasing other seabirds until they drop or cough up their food

These enthusiastic travelers can be seen almost worldwide in different seasons

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

This invasive species is the ancestor to most of the modern ducks

Have been recorded at altitudes over 16,000 feet during migration—almost as high as small airplanes!

The yellow-eyed devil

One of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution habituating all continents except Antarctica

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