Species library

Large Hawk-Cuckoo

Hierococcyx sparverioides

A remarkable mimic with a hawk-like silhouette, the Large Hawk-Cuckoo is the forest's most elusive 'brain-fever' sing...

Birds

Large Pine Aphid

Cinara pinea

The Large Pine Aphid is a master of the miniature forest, a 'spider-like' insect that thrives in the needles of the S...

Insects

Large Rose Sawfly

Arge pagana

A striking visitor to the summer garden, the Large Rose Sawfly is easily identified by its vibrant orange abdomen and...

Insects

Large Skipper

Ochlodes sylvanus

Meet the 'jet fighter' of the butterfly world. With its stout, furry body and unique angled-wing resting pose, the La...

Insects

Large Waxy Willow Aphid

Plocamaphis flocculosa

Often mistaken for a patch of summer snow or fuzzy mold, the Large Waxy Willow Aphid is a master of disguise. These '...

Insects

Large White

Pieris brassicae

A bold and powerful flyer, the Large White is a staple of the summer garden. Known for its brilliant white wings and ...

Insects

Large Yellow Underwing

Noctua pronuba

A frequent visitor to backyard porch lights, the Large Yellow Underwing hides a brilliant secret beneath its drab ext...

Insects

Largehead Hairtail

Trichiurus lepturus

A shimmering silver ribbon of the deep, the Largehead Hairtail is a fierce predator known for its fang-like teeth and...

Fish

Larger Citronella Ant

Lasius interjectus

Known for their striking golden color and surprising lemon scent, Larger Citronella Ants are the "invisible gardeners...

Insects

Largescale Stoneroller

Campostoma oligolepis

The Largescale Stoneroller is a hardworking herbivore and a vital architect of North American streams. Watch as these...

Fish

Lark Sparrow

Chondestes grammacus

With its bold harlequin face and melodic song, the Lark Sparrow is a standout among North American grassland birds. O...

Birds

Lattice-tailed Trogon

Trogon clathratus

A hidden gem of the Central American rainforest, the Lattice-tailed Trogon is named for the exquisite, lace-like patt...

Birds

Laughing Dove

Spilopelia senegalensis

A dainty, lilac-toned dove famous for its bubbling, laughter-like call and stippled copper necklace. Found everywhere...

Birds

Laughing Gull

Leucophaeus atricilla

With its iconic cackling call and striking black summer hood, the Laughing Gull is the spirited soundtrack of the Ame...

Birds

Laughing Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae

Famous for its iconic 'laughing' call and bold personality, the Laughing Kookaburra is the king of the Australian bac...

Birds

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Spinus lawrencei

A rare gem of the American West, Lawrence's Goldfinch is a nomadic beauty known for its striking black mask and soft ...

Birds

Layard's Palm Squirrel

Funambulus layardi

Known as the 'Flame-striped jungle squirrel,' this vibrant endemic species is a master of the Sri Lankan canopy. With...

Mammals

Lazuli Bunting

Passerina amoena

A living gemstone of the Western wild, the Lazuli Bunting dazzles with its turquoise plumage and sweet, rolling song....

Birds

Leaf Scorpionfish

Taenianotus triacanthus

A master of underwater disguise, the Leaf Scorpionfish hides in plain sight by mimicking a piece of drifting debris. ...

Fish

Leafy Filefish

Chaetodermis penicilligerus

The ultimate master of marine disguise, the Leafy Filefish uses elaborate skin tassels and a swaying motion to transf...

Fish

Leaping Mullet

Chelon saliens

Famed for its spectacular aerial displays and shimmering silver scales, the Leaping Mullet is a dynamic visitor to co...

Fish

Least Auklet

Aethia pusilla

Meet the world's smallest auk, a tiny Arctic survivor that forms some of the largest bird colonies on the planet.

Birds

Least Bittern

Botaurus exilis

The Least Bittern is the ultimate marshland ghost—a tiny, acrobatic heron that stalks the reeds with unmatched stealt...

Birds

Least Brook Lamprey

Lampetra aepyptera

Meet the Least Brook Lamprey, a harmless, ancient resident of North American streams that spends years hidden in the ...

Fish

Least Chipmunk

Neotamias minimus

Meet North America's smallest and most widespread chipmunk, a pint-sized powerhouse of energy recognizable by the str...

Mammals

Least Flycatcher

Empidonax minimus

Small in size but big in personality, the Least Flycatcher is the smallest of its genus in eastern North America. Loo...

Birds

Least Killifish

Heterandria formosa

Meet North America's smallest fish, a tiny livebearer that thrives in the hidden jungles of backyard ponds and southe...

Fish

Least Pygmy-Owl

Glaucidium minutissimum

The Least Pygmy-Owl is a pint-sized powerhouse of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. With deceptive 'eyes' on the back of...

Birds

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

The world's smallest shorebird is a master of migration. Recognizable by its unique yellow legs and hunched posture, ...

Birds

Least Skipper

Ancyloxypha numitor

The Least Skipper is a tiny, golden treasure that dances through the tall grass. With its rhythmic, bobbing flight an...

Insects

Least Tern

Sternula antillarum

The smallest of the American terns, this acrobatic bird is a master of the plunge-dive and a spirited defender of the...

Birds

Least Weasel

Mustela nivalis

The least weasel is the world’s smallest carnivore—a tiny, fearless hunter capable of squeezing through a wedding rin...

Mammals

Lechwe

Kobus leche

The lechwe is the ultimate marshland athlete, an antelope that thrives in the knee-deep waters of the African floodpl...

Mammals

LeConte's Sparrow

Ammospiza leconteii

The LeConte's Sparrow is the 'grass-mouse' of the bird world, a secretive master of the prairie with stunning buff-or...

Birds

LeConte's Thrasher

Toxostoma lecontei

Meet the 'Ghost of the Desert,' a master of camouflage that thrives in the harshest heat of the American Southwest. T...

Birds

Lemon Dove

Aplopelia larvata

A secretive gem of the African forest, the Lemon Dove enchants with its warm cinnamon breast and ghostly white face. ...

Birds