If you are in the eastern United States and encounter a bird that looks like a little brown check-mark with a loud voice, it’s probably a Carolina wren. These charismatic little birds are frequent visitors to backyards and bird feeders.
They have bright creamy eye bands and white steaks on their wings.
American wigeons are small ducks that are equally at home on land and in the water. Loud, gregarious and distinctive, more than 2.5 million wigeons live in North America.
Fact Sheet Conservation Physical Description Compact ducks, male wigeons have
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is otterly delighted to introduce Coquille, Potomac and Nash — American Trail’s adorable North American river otter pups! Get the latest news in this PUPdate.
Like their cousins, the sea otters, North American river otters have very thick and
Built for speed, the cheetah can accelerate from zero to 45 in just 2.5 seconds and reach top speeds of 60 to 70 mph, making it the fastest land mammal! The cheetah’s spotted coat helps it camouflage among the dry grasses of the African savanna where it lives.
Adults have yellow or tan short, coarse fur with solid black round or oval spots
In June, we’re celebrating World Ocean Month! Learn about some of the amazing aspects of corals and how they shape our world.
Like other species within Cnidaria, individual coral polyps don’t have a brain.
This sweet-singing forest bird travels across the Americas each year to reach its northern breeding grounds. It is known for its ascending, flute-like song.
Males and females have similar color patterns.
The gray wolf, also called the timber wolf, is the largest member of the canine family with fur ranging from gray to brown, black or white. Packs of gray wolves hunt at night, using their speed, sharp teeth and claws to catch caribou, moose, deer, bison, beavers, rabbits and fish.
Gray wolves are highly adaptable and have been known to survive in all habitats in
Get the answers to some of the most-searched questions about the desert dwelling, big-eared fennec fox!
Why do fennec foxes have big ears?
The Bird House team at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo has many beaks to feed, including 23 species of migratory songbirds and shorebirds.
Do they gorge themselves, even though they have nowhere to go?
Meet the lemur leaf frog! These attractive amphibians—best known for their big, beautiful eyes—are critically endangered. The good news? Reptile Discovery Center keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are working to save them from extinction.
Lemur leaf frogs are nocturnal—they’re awake and active at night—so they have some
