Birds

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

The bald eagle is a large bird of prey and the national bird of the United States, typically found near large bodies of open water with an abundant fish supply, from Alaska and Canada down through the contiguous United States. The species was once endangered in the U.S. due to hunting, habitat loss, and the pesticide DDT, which thinned its eggshells and caused widespread breeding failures; after DDT was banned and decades of conservation effort, bald eagle populations recovered enough for the species to be removed from the U.S. endangered species list in 2007.

Pygoscelis antarcticus

The chinstrap penguin is named for the narrow black band running under its chin, giving it the appearance of wearing a tiny helmet strap. Among the most numerous penguin species in the world, it breeds in enormous colonies across the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding sub-Antarctic islands.

Coturnix coturnix

The common quail is a small, secretive ground-dwelling bird that migrates annually between Europe, Africa, and Asia, more often heard than seen in dense grassland.

Aptenodytes forsteri

The emperor penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all penguin species, uniquely breeding through the brutal Antarctic winter on sea ice far from open water.

Dromaius novaehollandiae

The emu is the second-largest living bird in the world by height, a flightless giant native to the open plains and deserts of Australia. Despite being unable to fly, it's an exceptionally fast and powerful runner, capable of covering long distances across the outback in search of food and water.

Phoenicopterus roseus

The greater flamingo is the largest and most widespread flamingo species, found wading in large flocks through shallow saline lakes and lagoons.

Harpia harpyja

The harpy eagle is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, a rainforest apex predator capable of snatching monkeys and sloths directly from the treetops. Its enormous talons can exert a grip strength far beyond a human hand's, making it one of the most formidable raptors on Earth.

Pavo cristatus

The Indian peafowl, commonly called a peacock, is a large ground-dwelling bird native to South Asia, world-famous for the male's spectacular iridescent tail display.

Dacelo novaeguineae

The laughing kookaburra is the largest member of the kingfisher family, famous for a call that sounds remarkably like raucous human laughter, often used to establish territory at dawn and dusk. Native to eastern Australia, it's one of the country's most recognizable and culturally iconic birds.

Pharomachrus mocinno

Known as the resplendent quetzal, this bird is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world, revered by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations including the Maya and Aztec, who considered it sacred and associated it with the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. Males grow spectacularly long, iridescent green tail streamers that can trail well beyond the length of their own body.

Casuarius casuarius

The southern cassowary is one of the largest and most dangerous birds in the world, a flightless giant native to the tropical rainforests of northern Australia and New Guinea. Despite its bulk, it is an excellent swimmer and can sprint through dense forest at considerable speed, using a large bony helmet-like casque atop its head to push through thick vegetation.

Ramphastos toco

The toco toucan is the largest toucan species, instantly recognizable by its enormous bright orange bill, native to the forests and savannas of South America.

Cathartes aura

The turkey vulture is a widespread scavenger found across the Americas, playing a critical ecological role by cleaning up carrion using one of the keenest senses of smell in the bird world.

Cephalopterus penduliger

The umbrellabird is a striking rainforest bird named for the umbrella-like crest of feathers that arches forward over its head, along with a long, inflatable wattle of feathered skin hanging from its throat. Males use both features in elaborate courtship displays, along with deep, booming calls that can carry through dense forest.