Global Animal Guide Wildlife Encyclopedia

Birds

The guide features 27 species in the bird class. Each profile answers the most-searched questions first.

Emperor penguin with a chick standing on Antarctic ice

Near Threatened

Bird

Emperor Penguin

The largest penguin, built for the Antarctic winter

Greater flamingo standing in shallow water at golden hour with reflection

Bird

Flamingo

The pink filter-feeder that stands on one leg

Bald eagle with a white head and yellow beak perched on a branch

Bird

Bald Eagle

The fish-hunting raptor and national bird of the United States

Male peacock displaying its full iridescent blue and green tail fan

Bird

Peacock

The dazzling showman of the bird world

Barn owl with a heart-shaped white face perched on a wooden post at dusk

Bird

Barn Owl

The ghostly, heart-faced night hunter

Adult ostrich standing on dry African grassland with long neck and large eyes

Bird

Ostrich

The largest and fastest bird on land

Ruby-throated hummingbird hovering beside a red flower with wings blurred in motion

Bird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

A tiny hovering bird with a blazing throat

African grey parrot with pale grey feathers and a bright red tail perched on a branch

Bird

African Grey Parrot

One of the most intelligent talking birds

Snowy owl with white plumage and yellow eyes perched on snow-covered ground

Bird

Snowy Owl

The white owl of the Arctic tundra

Toco toucan with a large orange bill and black body perched on a branch

Bird

Toco Toucan

The rainforest bird with the giant colorful bill

Atlantic puffin with a colorful orange and blue bill standing on a grassy cliff

Bird

Atlantic Puffin

The colorful 'sea parrot' of the North Atlantic

Green and yellow budgerigar parakeet with black barring perched on a branch

Bird

Budgerigar

The little Australian parakeet and world's most popular pet bird

Peregrine falcon perched on a cliff ledge with slate-grey back and barred chest

Bird

Peregrine Falcon

The fastest animal on the planet

Golden eagle perched on a rocky crag showing golden-brown nape feathers and powerful talons

Bird

Golden Eagle

One of the largest and fastest birds of prey

Common kingfisher with bright blue back and orange chest perched over a river

Bird

Common Kingfisher

A jewel-colored diver of rivers and streams

Scarlet macaw with red, yellow, and blue plumage perched on a rainforest branch

Bird

Scarlet Macaw

The brilliant red parrot of the rainforest

Red-tailed hawk perched on a branch showing its rust-red tail and hooked beak against a blue sky

Bird

Red-tailed Hawk

North America's most familiar soaring hawk

Glossy black common raven perched on a weathered branch with a thick beak

Bird

Common Raven

One of the world's most intelligent birds

Grey cockatiel with yellow crest and orange cheek patches perched on a wooden perch

Bird

Cockatiel

The crested Australian parrot known for whistling

Male mallard duck with iridescent green head and yellow bill floating on calm water

Bird

Mallard

The familiar wild duck found around the world

Great horned owl with prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes perched in a forest at dusk

Bird

Great Horned Owl

The powerful nocturnal hunter with feathered tufts

Blue jay with vivid blue crest and black necklace markings perched on an oak branch

Bird

Blue Jay

The bold, noisy blue songbird of North America

Brilliant red male northern cardinal with black face mask perched on a snowy branch

Bird

Northern Cardinal

The bright red songbird of North American gardens

American robin with orange-red breast standing on green grass

Bird

American Robin

The orange-breasted herald of spring

Griffon vulture with broad wings and pale bald head perched on a rocky crag

Bird

Vulture

Nature's clean-up crew on broad soaring wings

Small plump common quail with mottled brown plumage standing in grass

Bird

Quail

The small, secretive ground bird of fields and grassland

Sacred ibis with white body, black head, and long curved bill wading in shallow water

Bird

Ibis

The long-billed wading bird of marsh and river

Frequently asked questions

How many birds are in the Global Animal Guide?

The Global Animal Guide currently features 27 birds with full, answer-first profiles covering diet, habitat, size, and conservation status.

What are birds?

Birds are animals in the bird class. Browse the full list below to explore each species in detail.