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Pel’s fishing owl
Doesn’t care about rodents or birds — it’s all about the fish, frogs, and aquatic snacks
Reed cormorant
Despite its short stature, it’s a strong and fast flier
Common agama
Known for their vibrant colors, which can change rapidly in response to their environment, mood, or social interactions
Long-crested eagle
Got a long, floppy crest of black feathers sticking up from the back of its head like a windblown mohawk
Palm-nut vulture
Carrion? Nah, I prefer coconuts
Abyssinian ground hornbill
Prefers to walk the Earth like a feathered tank, only flying when necessary — wings are for backup, not daily use
Jackson’s hornbill
Its long, down-curved hornbill bill is not just for show — it’s the ultimate fruit grabber and insect snapper
Red-legged sun squirrel
Not your backyard nut hoarder
Common duiker
And they live up to the name — these little antelopes are known for diving headfirst into thickets when spooked
African green pigeon
Despite being brightly colored, they’re hard to spot — they sit quietly in treetops, perfectly camouflaged among leaves
African harrier-hawk
Has double-jointed ankles that let it bend its legs backward, forward, and sideways
Flap-necked chameleon
Its tongue can shoot out up to twice its body length in a fraction of a second
Black crake
They’re always close to the reeds, but just bold enough to be seen
Martial eagle
One of Africa’s largest and most powerful birds of prey—a true apex predator of the skies
Knob-billed duck
Males sport a big, bumpy black “knob” on top of their bill — like a bird-sized bike helmet
Freckled nightjar
Camouflage game: legendary
Slender-tailed nightjar
So well hidden you could step over it without ever knowing
Ruddy turnstone
They flip the script — literally!
European turtle dove
The only long-distance migratory dove in Europe
Klipspringer
Natural-born climber, capable of leaping with incredible agility across steep cliffs and boulder-strewn slopes
African paradise flycatcher
Its call—a soft, sweet “chee-chee” or chattering trill—can often be heard before the bird itself is seen
Red-lipped snake
Mildly venomous and completely harmless to humans
Rufous beaked snake
Often dig its own shelter or take over abandoned rodent holes
Common slender mongoose
Can take on a cobra with nothing but speed and confidence
Coarse chameleon
Not aggressive — but expressive!
Günther’s dik-dik
One of the smallest antelopes in the world
Little sparrowhawk
The fun-sized falcon of the forest, but with all the attitude of a full-grown eagle
White-necked raven
They are, without a doubt, some of the smartest and most entertaining birds out there!
Leopard tortoise
Famous for its beautiful, patterned shell that resembles the spotted coat of a leopard
Black-and-white-casqued hornbill
Its big casque works like a built-in speaker, boosting their calls to echo powerfully across dense forests
African grey hornbill
One of the more subtly beautiful members of the hornbill family
Crowned hornbill
Have sharp eyesight and are known to mob snakes they spot near their nests
Crested barbet
A tiny bird with a voice, and style, far bigger than its size
Long-tailed paradise whydah
It’s not just color — the entire body shape of males changes between seasons
Giant kingfisher
Africa’s largest and most powerful kingfisher
Common dwarf mongoose
Tiny but mighty warriors of Africa — proof that being small doesn’t mean you can’t live large
Hadada ibis
Natural alarm clocks in African cities — whether you want them or not!
Grey-headed kingfisher
Despite the name, it rarely goes fishing!
Roan antelope
One of Africa’s most majestic and powerful antelopes, known for its robust build and horse-like stature
Black-crowned night heron
One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world
Steppe eagle
The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt
African softshell turtle
Instead of a bony shell, it has a flat, leathery covering that helps it glide smoothly through the water
East African oryx
They can raise their body temperatures to avoid loss of water from their body by sweating
Grey parrot
Often considered as the smartest of all parrots
Crowned eagle
Often called the “leopard of the sky”
White-tailed mongoose
One of its favorite snacks? Beetles and other crunchy bugs!
Yellow-billed oxpecker
One of the few birds that feeds partly on blood—not in a harmful way
Bongo
So rare and hard to find, that’s why they’re called “ghosts of the forest”
Lesser kudu
Bushland antelope found in East Africa; often considered the pretties of all antilopes
Cape bushbuck
Females hide their young and eat the feces after nursing them, so no trail of their scents remains to entice predators
Gaboon viper
Gaboon viper has the largest fangs and highest venom yield of any snake on earth
Common ringed plover
This bird taps its feet to imitate rain to make the prey reach the surface
Forbes’s plover
Sometimes called the “dry country plover” because of its preference for inland habitats, unlike its more coastal relatives
Red-capped lark
Surprisingly photogenic, especially when the sun catches their reddish crown just right
Square-tailed nightjar
Their wide, gaping mouths might look a little odd, but they’re perfect for scooping up moths and beetles mid-flight
African jacana
Chicks are skilled swimmers and divers, able to paddle through the water just hours after hatching
Saker falcon
Their keen vision enables them to scan vast landscapes, identifying small movements or potential prey items even from high altitudes
Red-footed falcon
Their favorite snack? Large insects like locusts and dragonflies
Cape hare
Has large eyes that could cover a field of 360o to survey their surroundings before they take a nap
African darter
African darters or ‘snakebirds’ are expert underwater fishermen equipped with stealth, diving skills, and a spear-like bill
Northern giraffe
Most endangered giraffe species is witnessing silent extinction
European roller
Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe
Ball python
True to their name, they transform into protective balls when threatened, tucking their heads in for ultimate defense
Central African rock python
Its sheer size and presence make it a dominant predator wherever it is found
Lesser black-backed gull
A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere
Jameson’s mamba
Unlike the black mamba, the deadliest snake in Africa, it is less aggressive and more likely to retreat when threatened
Common egg eater
Has the incredible ability to swallow eggs that are much larger than its own head
White-faced whistling duck
Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound
Bateleur
One of the easiest birds of prey to identify from a distance
African rail
Spend most of their time lurking in the thick reeds and grasses, only venturing out when they absolutely have to
Red-rumped swallow
Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!
Common pochard
Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!
Hammer-headed bat
A bat with a face that looks like it belongs on a comic superhero!
European pied flycatcher
Males are particularly eye-catching with their black and white plumage, looking like they’re wearing a little tuxedo
Great white pelican
Underneath this colorful beak, there’s a hidden surprise – a built-in net for scooping up a delicious lunch!
Pink-backed pelican
Mostly pale grey or white, but when the light hits just right, you’ll see a rosy-pink blush across their back and wings
Barn swallow
Most common and widely distributed swallow globally
Common nightingale
Often called the “singer of the night,” it produces a complex and beautiful melody that has captivated people for centuries
Lesser grey shrike
Have been observed remembering the locations of their impaled prey and even using tools to help them catch food
Great blue turaco
A bird as big as a crow but with feathers that shimmer an unbelievable shade of blue
Giant pangolin
Covered in tough, overlapping scales made of keratin — the same material human fingernails are made from
Rüppells vulture
Once found flying 11,300 meters (37,100 ft) high, sadly, this was more of an accident than a discovery
Grey crowned crane
It holds significant cultural and spiritual importance in African cultures, often associated with wisdom, longevity, and good fortune
Tawny eagle
Often seen as a symbol of strength, freedom, and keen vision in many African communities
African fish eagle
With its striking appearance and distinctive call, it is often referred to as the “voice of Africa”
Black crowned crane
In some regions, they are regarded as messengers of the gods or as symbols of rain and fertility
Boomslang
Itd name means “tree snake” in Afrikaans and Dutch, a fitting description of its arboreal lifestyle
Puff adder
Notoriously grumpy, always putting on a dramatic hissy fit when approached
Common reed frog
Their horizontal pupils give them a permanently surprised expression
Little egret
During breeding, they transform with elegant white plumage, adorned by decorative plumes on the head, neck, and back
Egyptian goose
They were commonly depicted in art from ancient Egypt
Eurasian blackcap
The males, in particular, produce a rich and intricate song that contributes to their charm
Common redstart
They consistently display a restless demeanor and exhibit a distinctive, tail-trembling behavior
White wagtail
Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck
Eurasian kestrel
Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance
Common chiffchaff
Their migratory behavior is often linked to the availability of insects for food
African openbill
An unrushed flyboy from Africa
Nile monitor
Can deliver a painful bite, tail lashes, and fierce scratches — definitely a reptile to respect!
Rock monitor
One of Africa’s largest and most powerful lizards
White-backed vulture
Their highly acidic stomachs and powerful enzymes help break down and neutralize harmful bacteria and toxins present in the carcasses they feed on
Hooded vulture
They are known to scavenge at rubbish dumps and around slaughterhouses, helping to dispose of animal byproducts and reducing potential health risks
Superb starling
Widespread and bright; a superb starling indeed
Cheetah
Racing to extinction: historically ranging throughout Africa to India, now distributed in small, fragmented populations
African bush elephant
Size matters! The largest of the three elephant species and the largest extant terrestrial creature on our planet
White rhinoceros
White with a dark future! Victim of the myths, it is the biggest of the five rhino species
Black rhinoceros
With 3 out of 8 subspecies have been declared extinct, illegal poaching puts these hooked upper lip rhinos in danger
African wild dog
85% successful kills! Yet irreversibly waning, it is among the most endangered canids in Africa
Eastern gorilla
Much larger than any other ape, it is the rarest of two gorillas species
Leopard
Disappearing graceful shadows, this tree-climber is on the way to extinction
Egyptian slit-faced bat
Often called ‘whispering’ bats because their echolocation used to access the area and prey location are low intensity and not strong
Egyptian fruit bat
They hold their food tightly and closely to their bodies while feeding, preventing the food from being stolen by other bats
Crested porcupine
They don’t shoot quills—they let predators do the hard work by detaching them on contact!
Naked-rumped tomb bat
These ‘sloppy animals’ tend to have a strong and unpleasant odor due to accumulated wastes in roosts
Hippopotamus
1.6 ton (1.5 tonne) + 48 km/h (30 mph) = what do you think?
Great cormorant
Due to their adaptability and willingness to migrate to more favorable habitats, great cormorants are found worldwide
Common ostrich
Arabian ostrich, 1 of 4 subspecies, was hunted to extinction in mid-20th century
Barn owl
The most cosmopolitan of owls with home ranges extending across the globe
Northern white-faced owl
These owls are strictly nocturnal and generalist hunters, preying on moths, scorpions, birds, rodents, and everything in between
Little grebe
This cute and small bird is one of the most elite hunters below the water’s surface
Greater honeyguide
The master hunter and the bane of the bees
Black-throated barbet
One of the smaller barbet species that resemble a sparrow, only found in Africa
Lesser flamingo
This bird holds a Guinness book of world records to its name
Greater flamingo
The iconic and elegant bird with a curved pink bill is known for turning heads
Hamerkop
The hammerheads of the bird kingdom
Shoebill
One of the most bizarre creatures you can ever lay your eyes upon
Eurasian spoonbill
This bird is unmistakable for its namesake, spoon-shaped bill
African sacred ibis
The fossil records suggest that this species has been on this planet for millions of years
Glossy ibis
These birds seem to have lost their way to the beauty pageant
Goliath heron
This large heron is a firm believer in the adage: “Patience is the key to success”
Gray heron
Exhibit powerful flight, with distinctive slow wing beats and an extended neck, defining features during their aerial movements
Red-billed quelea
The most numerous wild bird species in the world
Marsh warbler
One of the best avian vocal mimics
Palestine sunbird
The tiny hovering jewel of house gardens
Splendid sunbird
Only the males have the flashy feathers — females are olive and yellow, much more modestly dressed
Kori bustard
These large birds may remind you of ostriches, but they can fly!
Purple-crested turaco
These birds were once hunted for their beautiful crimson flight feathers
Common moorhen
Living around smelly brackish marshes is unthinkable, but these birds love their isolated habitat or don’t have a sense of smell
White-spotted flufftail
Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see a fluffy tail on these birds – it’s a misnomer
Helmeted guineafowl
Native to Africa, it is the best-known bird of its family, broadly introduced as domesticated species
Pygmy falcon
Smallest raptor of Africa with a heart bigger than lion’s
Peregrine falcon
At the speed of over 321 km/h (200 mph), this bird outraces a Formula1 car
Pied kingfisher
The only member of the genus having wide distribution across Asia and Africa is sociable, unlike other members of its family
Speckled mousebird
Their dull mousy-brown color justifies the name pretty well
Blue-naped mousebird
They can support their whole body weight on a single toenail! I wonder how many steps long their nail care routine is
Marabou stork
This Nature’s cleaners are the largest & heaviest living stork
Yellow-billed stork
As the name suggests, this whitish stork has a bright red face and a distinctively long yellow bill
Saddle-billed stork
The colorful stork of Africa
African woolly-necked stork
One of the most elegant and quietly impressive birds of Africa’s wetlands
Black stork
The stork with the widest geographic range
White stork
The folktale bird that brings the babies!
Pied avocet
One of the very few birds with an upturned bill
Black-winged stilt
Elegant long-legged wader, common almost worldwide
Eurasian stone-curlew
One of the bigger waders with a reptilian eye
Water thick-knee
Its giant yellow eyes aren’t just for dramatic effect — they give it excellent night vision
Egyptian plover
The janitors of the bird world
African skimmer
Global Warming got nothing on this bird
Greater painted-snipe
Looks no less than a renaissance masterpiece
Black-tailed godwit
The most elegant of all godwit species
Common swift
These enthusiastic travelers can be seen almost worldwide in different seasons
Green wood hoopoe
Insect-eating, tree-dwelling, and an incredible co-partner. That said, there’s nothing uninteresting about this one
Southern ground hornbill
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
Eurasian hoopoe
Dependable wings and a muscular build. Nope, we aren’t talking about the next Redbull ad campaign
White-headed vulture
They’re known as ‘old world vultures’ endemic to Africa and the first ones to get a whiff of corpses
Egyptian vulture
A highly intelligent species that is the world’s only tool-using vulture with a long migratory range
Western marsh harrier
The yellow-eyed devil
Augur buzzard
The sturdy body complimented with broad wings make these raptors one of a kind
Common buzzard
They eat just about everything — rabbits, rodents, birds, carrion, earthworms, insects… even beetles get a look-in
Short-toed snake eagle
A magnificent migratory bird with long, broad wings and a short tail that sings in the form of musical whistles
Western banded snake eagle
As the name suggests, this eagle is all about snakes — venomous or not, it doesn’t care
Lappet-faced vulture
The African giant vulture has a wingspan up to 2.80 m (9 ft) wide
Bearded vulture
The only living creature that feeds on bone marrow from carcasses in high and inaccessible mountain areas
Osprey
One of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution habituating all continents except Antarctica
Secretarybird
A long-legged bird with a stunning black feather crest on its back head
Levant sparrowhawk
Often chasing each other in the air or amusing themselves by catching and dropping objects like sticks or leaves
Rock hyrax
African rock dwellers that resemble pikas , but are more closely related to elephants!
Ground pangolin
Often referred to as “scaly anteaters” due to their diet and appearance
Aardvark
Dig large subterranean burrows that other animals can hide in during fires, hence preventing wildlife deaths
Banded mongoose
Living in troops, a real-life example of “All for one, and one for all”
African wildcat
The direct ancestor of the domestic cat—no wonder why they look so alike!
Plains zebra
These zebras with the underbelly stripes are the longest migrators in Africa
Giant otter shrew
Got their common name due to their resemblance to otters and shrews, but not true otters nor shrews
Common (spotted) genet
We can rotate our pinnae by 80 degrees!
African palm civet
Live in harmony with a parasite causes the deadly Sleeping sickness in humans
Egyptian mongoose
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
Striped hyena
The only hyena species outside of Africa that can go 15km (10 miles) for a meal
Spotted hyena
Also known as Laughing Hyena, it gets chewed a lot for being cruddy and a good-for-nothing scavenger!
Aardwolf
Unlike other hyenas, they do not hunt or scavenge but mainly consume termites
African clawless otter
Inhabits water bodies in sub-Saharan Africa’s savannahs
Striped polecat
They are also called ‘zorilla’ which comes from the Spanish word ‘zorro’, meaning small fox, but they are not fox
African striped weasel
A skunk mimic, besides a similar appearance, also releases smelly fluid from its anal gland when they feel threatened
Honey badger
Well known for their ferocity, these fearless little creatures are always ready to take on an entire pride of lions
Serval
Owners of the longest legs-for-body-size of all cats are widespread in sub-Saharan savannahs
African golden cat
There is still a lot to learn about this already threatened species
Caracal
“To put the cat among the pigeons” was phrased on caracals, as they were once trained for hunting game birds for Persian and Indian royalty
Bat-eared fox
The ears not only resemble a bat’s ear, but they also have the same purpose – locate insects
Black-backed jackal
Has two subspecies populations, separated by 900km (560 miles)
Side-striped jackal
Larger than its jackal relatives and easily distinguishable with white stripes on the sides
Grant’s gazelle
Famous for their “stotting” antics to impress others and deter predators
Impala
One of the most successful African sprinters
Oribi
They benefit from wildfires as they can return to the area that recovered from fires to eat fresh grass
Kirk’s dik-dik
A frightened female whistles repeating the dik-dik sound, giving rise to the name dik-dik
African buffalo
They are also known as the “black death” or “widowmaker,” which says a lot about them – dangerous!
Waterbuck
Predators usually don’t hunt adult waterbucks as they have an unpleasant body odor because of the waterproofing secretions
Hartebeest
They enjoy a sedentary and lazy lifestyle but run fast if they sense danger
Topi
This prestigious, highly social, antelope species of Africa could run up to 80 km/h (50 mph)
Giant eland
The largest species of antelope, weighing up to 700 kg (1550 pounds) and growing 1.8m (6 ft)
Common eland
Large antelopes look like giant cows in appearance but run pretty fast
Greater kudu
One of the largest antelopes – a male kudu having thick and spiraled horns as long as 1.8m (6 feet) in length
Okapi
The mysterious forest zebra is the closest living relative of the giraffe
Reticulated giraffe
The most common giraffe in zoos is the second most endangered giraffe species
Common warthog
Widely distributed and the only pigs that live in grasslands
Blue monkey
The blue monkey’s digestive tract has developed to accommodate a diverse range of diets; however, they prefer fruits 50% of the time
Red-tailed monkey
Named for their striking red tail, which looks like it’s been dipped in paprika
Angola colobus
Abundant in Congo Basin and fragmented in Eastern Africa
Common patas monkey
Has distinctive alarm calls for different predators to warn other members of the group
Uganda mangabey
Thought to be a population of the Grey-cheeked mangabey until it upgraded to a new species in 2007
Vervet monkey
Used for studying genetic and social behaviors of humans as they have human-like characteristics such as anxiety, hypertension, and social and dependent alcohol use
Olive baboon
The most wide-ranging of all baboons, native to 25 equatorial African countries
Chimpanzee
Our closest living relative from the wild
Black mamba
Africa’s most feared snake that would inevitably evoke reactions of fear by just its looks
Nile crocodile
One of the most iconic animals of Africa and the second largest reptile on earth