It’s the “dark-themed” albatross

Standing on one leg isn’t just a pose—it helps them save body heat while they rest in cool, windy wetland weather

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

Once a sky-filling spectacle—today, most of what we have are museum skins and stories

One of the very few “smelly” birds (in a good way)

Its speed and size make it harder for predators (and hunters) to track

One of the smallest stiff-tailed ducks in the Americas

Smell? Not so much—mostly rely on eyesight and the behavior of other vultures to find food

The “cheetahs” of the deep ocean

This bird can circle the South Atlantic without breaking a sweat (or a wingbeat)

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

Its teeth are constantly replaced throughout its life, ensuring a strong bite even in old age

One of South America’s most secretive and specialized burrowers

Mixed hairy-footed one

Found all over the Americas, it is the most widespread species of all armadillos

A magnificent seabird that spends almost its entire life gliding over the wild, windswept waters of the South Atlantic

Among the biggest flying birds on Earth

Its flight is nearly soundless, thanks to specially fringed wing feathers that disrupt air turbulence

Defies the usual “creature of the night” stereotype by thriving in open landscapes and often hunting boldly in daylight

Highly site-faithful, often returning to the exact same nesting spot year after year

A master of living under the ice, and a haunting singer in one of the world’s coldest wildernesses

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

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

Their misleading name comes from early explorers who mistakenly thought they fed on crabs

May look like villains, but in truth, they’re peaceful giants of the sea

The spotted rabbit of the jungle—though they are rodents, not rabbits!

One of the most effective—and quirky—pest controllers in South America’s wild landscapes

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

One of the fastest and deepest-diving tunas

One of the tiniest doves in the Americas

A bird with a voice you won’t forget

Doesn’t put its nest near the water’s edge like many of its relatives

The “giant of the swamp”

Have eyesight that is exceptionally keen—so much so that they can easily spot tiny fish swimming just beneath rippling water

Most famous — and misunderstood — of all vampire bats

Surprisingly aggressive for a bird with a sunny name

Known to be quite tolerant of human presence compared to other wild deer

A bird that quietly keeps the environment clean

Despite its name, it is not limited to the Amazon Basin

One of the largest hawks in the Americas

Known to freeze in place when startled, relying on camouflage rather than flight until the last moment

Known to investigate campsites, rummage through backpacks, and even figure out how to open containers

Elegant, elusive, and finely tuned to life in waterlogged wilderness

Their skin actually darkens, just like a sunburn!

Often called the “tiger of the sky” because of its fierce hunting skills and bold personality

They flip the script — literally!

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

Its pig-like nose is sensitive and flexible, helping it locate underground prey like grubs and worms

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

Both feared and respected, often appearing in traditional stories and as a symbol of danger and power

Only later did scientists give it full species status, thanks to its different range, plumage details, and very crab-focused lifestyle

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

These birds ride ocean breezes for miles without flapping much at all

The smallest of falcons in the entirety of America, but you would be mistaken to take this bird lightly

One of the most dazzling waterbirds of the Americas, often described as a “swamp jewel”

While it’s one of the largest snakes in the world, it’s smaller than its green cousin

Also known as “barking deer” because of their loud, barking alarm calls

Well-adapted to the cold Arctic climate and can withstand temperatures as low as -50°C (-58°F)

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

With their stately waddle and regal demeanor, they are the undisputed monarchs of the Antarctic ice

Known for their bright plumage and lively behavior, making them some of the most recognizable birds in the tropics

Can hang upside down while feeding!

Don’t let their name fool you; they actually prefer to eat mussels and limpets rather than oysters!

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

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

The biggest of all the hammerhead sharks, with a massive head that looks like a giant, flat hammer

Got the looks of a hawk with the scavenging habits of a vulture

Fearless defenders of their nests and chicks, often taking on much larger animals or humans if they perceive a threat

This bird is a real chatterbox, constantly announcing its presence with its loud, three-part call – “kis-ka-dee!”

A champion swimmer and a social butterfly of the warm seas

They don’t build their own nests – they cleverly take over burrows abandoned by prairie dogs, ground squirrels, or even tortoises!

Known for their acrobatic leaps, twisting and turning gracefully as they jump completely out of the water

Remarkable architects that construct domed nests from mud and straw

Its song is often associated with the arrival of spring and is a symbol of joy and renewal

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

In the late 1800s, a single ounce of its feathers could be worth more than gold

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

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

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

One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world

The Pleistocene armadillo with a car-sized shell and a lethal tail

Despite its name, this animal was not a true tiger, nor was it related to any modern cat

Discover the mystery of a prehistoric giant: an enormous herbivore with powerful claws and a tragic fate

These wild cats are cute, intelligent, agile, and well-adapted to inhabiting tropical and subtropical forests

Survival of the fittest? This cat takes it to a whole new level, always ready to pounce and conquer any habitat

Small but mighty, this cat is a stealthy predator that swims, climbs and hunts with sass and style

Small, sly, and swift – it may be pint-sized, but it packs a punch when it comes to survival in the grasslands

Communicate using various vocalizations such as whistles, whinnies, and growls

Their neck vertebrae have a hinge mechanism that allows it to dart its long neck and pierce its prey quickly

The most ice-associated baleen whale, often found right at the frozen frontier where krill thrives

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

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