A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

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!

Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!

A bat with a face that looks like it belongs on a comic superhero!

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

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

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

Its imperial imagery and fierce demeanor have made it a symbol of power and nobility throughout history

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

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

Often chasing each other in the air or amusing themselves by catching and dropping objects like sticks or leaves

A bird as big as a crow but with feathers that shimmer an unbelievable shade of blue

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

Skilled builders — can build giant communal nests with multiple chambers, like a bird apartment building!

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

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”

In some regions, they are regarded as messengers of the gods or as symbols of rain and fertility

Itd name means “tree snake” in Afrikaans and Dutch, a fitting description of its arboreal lifestyle

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

Known for their extremely long legs, which lift their bodies off the hot desert sand, helping to keep them cool

Despite its fearsome appearance, it is a shy and reclusive creature that would rather hide than confront a threat

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

Territorial and defends its territory aggressively against other birds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A gecko with bands and spots, and toes that fan like knots

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

A genetic mix of 72% grey wolf & 28% Ethiopian wolf was classified as an African variant of the golden jackal until 2015!

Smallest fox in the world, measuring almost 25 cm (10 in), but has enormous ears that can grow up to 15 cm (6 in)

One of the least researched canid species, partly because it lives in remote habitats

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

They can raise their body temperatures to avoid loss of water from their body by sweating

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

Widespread and bright; a superb starling indeed

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

White with a dark future! Victim of the myths, it is the biggest of the five rhino species

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

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. […]

This ‘mini kangaroo’ leaps up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in a single jump, thanks to its incredibly large hind legs

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

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

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

Arabian ostrich, 1 of 4 subspecies, was hunted to extinction in mid-20th century

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

These owls are strictly nocturnal and generalist hunters, preying on moths, scorpions, birds, rodents, and everything in between

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

If you ever forget the tune of a song, don’t worry; this bird has your back

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

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

One of the smaller barbet species that resemble a sparrow, only found in Africa

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

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

The hammerheads of the bird kingdom

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