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

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 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

Once thought to be mythical by Europeans

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 hedgehog species that doesn’t hibernate regularly

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

The mosaic-shelled marvel of the Mediterranean

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

Look a bit like a cross between a beaver and a rat

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

Excellent climbers, capable of scaling rocky slopes and walls with ease

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

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 webbed feet act like tiny paddles, propelling them through the water with surprising speed and agility

Their favorite snack? Large insects like locusts and dragonflies

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

One of the most narrowly distributed amphibians in the world, making it both a natural marvel and a conservation priority

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

It is one of the most widespread and familiar amphibians 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!

Got their name from their ability to quickly slide off logs or rocks into the water when they feel threatened

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Can withstand harsh winter conditions, often remaining at sea even when the water is frozen

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

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

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

A bird that can change its color to match its surroundings!

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

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

Unlike rabbits, they don’t live in burrows, instead, they make shallow nests in the grass called forms

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

Really good at climbing trees and fences because their feet have special sticky pads that help them stick to almost anything!

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”

Its unique song is a cheerful, bubbly melody that’s a delight to hear

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

Quite noisy creatures which is a common sight in wetland areas

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

Green amphibian that’s really good at hiding, usually no bigger than your hand

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

With its triangular head, distinct from its neck, and vertical pupils, it’s easy to recognize

Its shell is a beautifully patterned dome that offers both protection and style

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

What makes them really interesting is their skin – it’s covered in lots of little bumpy scales, like tiny pearls

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

Introduced to many regions where it is now considered an invasive species

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

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

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

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