Birds
Birds are the only vertebrates that have feathers. All birds are warm-blooded and lay eggs. Adaptations such as hollow bones enable most birds to fly, although there are flightless birds, including the ostrich. There are nearly 10,000 bird species in the world.
African Fish Eagle
This bird’s distinctive call can be heard for miles and has earned it the name “the voice of Africa.”
African Spoonbill
This long-legged wading bird sweeps its spoon-shaped bill through water to search for food.
Andean Condor
With a wingspan of ten feet, the Andean condor is one of the world’s largest flying birds.
Bald Eagle
The national bird of the United States has a remarkable recovery story.
Bateleur Eagle
Bateleur is French for “street performer” and refers to this eagle’s acrobatic flight abilities.
Black-collared Starling
This Asian starling is a very vocal bird known for building large, domed nests.
Black-Crowned Crane
African crowned cranes are the only crane species that roost in trees.
Black-Headed Weaver
Black-headed weavers are among the master architects of the animal world.
Black-necked Stilt
Eighty percent of this bird’s height lies in its long, pink legs.
Blue-Billed Curassow
The blue-billed curassow is a tropical South American cousin of turkeys.
Bufflehead Duck
The bufflehead is North America’s smallest sea duck (diving duck).
California Condor
California condors are highly intelligent, inquisitive, and social birds.
Cape Vulture
Cape vulture’s large, broad wings are designed for soaring on rising currents of warm air.
Chestnut Teal
This Australian duck was named for the color of the male of the species.
Crested Caracara
Known as the Mexican eagle, the crested caracara is the national bird of Mexico.
Crested Fireback Pheasant
This medium-sized forest pheasant is a relative of chickens, turkeys, peafowl, quail, and partridges.
Crested Oropendola
Oropendola make one of the most unusual and unique nests in the bird world.
Eagle-Owls
A distinguishing feature of this particular owl species is the orange color of its irises.
East African Gray-Crowned Crane
Gray-crowned cranes can perch in the trees thanks to prehensile (grasping) hind toes.
Flamingos
Flamingos are extremely gregarious birds with some flocks consisting of 200,000 paired birds.
Forest Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo
Forest red-tailed black cockatoos are parrot-like birds native to southwestern Australia.
Golden-breasted Starling
These vibrant, glossy African birds stand out in desert habitats.
Great Horned Owl
The great horned owl can hunt animals that are larger and heavier than itself.
Green Aracari
Green aracaris are the smallest members of the toucan family.
Harpy Eagle
A large harpy eagle can carry its body weight, about 17 pounds, in long 5-inch talons.
Harris’s Hawk
As with all birds of prey, Harris’s hawks find prey by using their exceptional vision.
Hornbills
These tropical birds are known for their large, lightweight beaks.
King Vulture
What does it take to become king among vultures? A unique skill set and connections to the gods.
Lanner Falcon
Lanner falcons are known for fast and agile flight as well as unusual hunting tactics.
Laughing Kookaburra
The outstanding feature of the laughing kookaburra is its distinctive vocalizations.
Macaw
Macaws belong to a family of birds that includes parrots, parakeets, lorikeets, and cockatoos.
Masked Lapwing
Yellow wattles and skin around its eyes make this bird appear masked.
Nicobar Pigeon
Nicobar pigeons roost and nest on small, uninhabited islands to keep safe from predators.
Ostrich
The ostrich is the world’s largest bird–and the fastest land animal on two legs.
Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine falcons are considered the fighter jets of the bird world.
Red-Billed Blue Magpie
This member of the crow family has strikingly colored tail feathers.
Red-Legged Seriema
Sounding like a yelping dog, the red-legged seriema’s call is very unusual.
Red-Tailed Hawk
The red-tailed hawk is one of the best-known birds of prey.
Salmon-Crested Cockatoo
This bird can raised its salmon-colored crest when it is threatened or excited.
Sarus Crane
Reaching about six feet in height, the sarus crane is the world’s tallest flying bird.
Scarlet Ibis
This bright pink wading bird gets its color from pigments in its food.
Southern (Double-Wattled) Cassowary
Cassowaries belong to a group of flightless birds called ratites.
Speckled Mousebird
This African bird is named for its gray color and mouse-like scurrying.
Spectacled Owl
This owl is named for the ring of white feathers around its eyes that resemble a pair of glasses.
Spotted Thick-Knee
The spotted thick-knee is a ground-nesting bird native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Spur-winged Lapwing
This bird is named for the vestigial spurs on its wings.
Steller’s Sea Eagle
As their name implies, these birds rely on ocean fish for sustenance.
Sunbittern
Sunbitterns are wading birds native to Central and South America.
Superb Starling
Metallic green and blue feathers give this African native its superb colors.
Trumpeter Swan
The trumpeter swan is the world’s largest waterfowl.
Turaco
Although they spend all their time in the trees, turacos are actually not very good fliers.
White Crowned Robin-chat
This colorful member of the Old World flycatcher family lives in a large part of West Africa.
White-Faced Whistling Duck
Whistling ducks are named for their unique three-note calls.
White-headed Buffalo Weaver
These birds follow buffalo herds, feasting on insects stirred up by their hooves.
Yellow-Naped Amazon
These gregarious birds are strong fliers and gather in large flocks to feed.