Species library

Vedalia Beetle

Novius cardinalis

The tiny red hero of the citrus grove, the Vedalia Beetle is a master hunter that saved California's orange industry....

Insects

Veery

Catharus fuscescens

The ghost of the forest floor, the Veery is a master of camouflage with a haunting, ethereal song. Discover this shy,...

Birds

Vegetable Leafminer

Liriomyza sativae

The Vegetable Leafminer is a tiny architect of the garden, creating shimmering, winding galleries inside the leaves o...

Insects

Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fusca

A hardy voyager of the northern seas, the Velvet Scoter is a striking diver known for its jet-black feathers and bril...

Birds

Verdin

Auriparus flaviceps

The Verdin is a tiny but tough desert specialist, recognizable by its bright yellow head and its impressive ability t...

Birds

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

A flash of brilliant scarlet against the sky, the Vermilion Flycatcher is a living gem of the Americas. This small bu...

Birds

Vermilion Rockfish

Sebastes miniatus

A masterpiece of the deep Pacific, the Vermilion Rockfish is famous for its stunning red scales and long-lived nature...

Fish

Verreaux's Eagle

Aquila verreauxii

The Verreaux's Eagle is the dark shadow of Africa's high peaks, a specialized hunter famous for its striking white 'V...

Birds

Verreaux's Eagle-Owl

Ketupa lactea

Africa's largest owl is a majestic grey giant known for its booming voice and unique pink eyelids. A master of the sa...

Birds

Versicolored Emerald

Chrysuronia versicolor

A shimmering gem of South American gardens, the Versicolored Emerald brings a splash of iridescent green and acrobati...

Birds

Vervain Hummingbird

Mellisuga minima

The Vervain Hummingbird is a literal heavyweight of the Caribbean bird world in spirit, if not in size. As the second...

Birds

Vervet Monkey

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

Agile, vocal, and incredibly clever, the Vervet Monkey is one of Africa’s most charismatic primates. Whether they are...

Mammals

Vesper Sparrow

Pooecetes gramineus

Named for its enchanting evening song, the Vesper Sparrow is a master of the open fields. Look for its distinctive wh...

Birds

Viceroy

Limenitis archippus

Often mistaken for the Monarch, the Viceroy is a master of mimicry and a stunning addition to any wetland garden. Wit...

Insects

Vicuña

Lama vicugna

The graceful vicuña is the golden ghost of the Andes, prized for its ethereal wool and celebrated as the wild ancesto...

Mammals

Village Weaver

Ploceus cucullatus

The Village Weaver is nature's master architect, famous for building sprawling hanging colonies and dazzling with its...

Birds

Vine's Rustic

Hoplodrina ambigua

A master of suburban camouflage, the Vine's Rustic is a common yet fascinating visitor to night-blooming gardens. Whi...

Insects

Violaceous Euphonia

Euphonia violacea

A splash of sun-gold and midnight-violet, the Violaceous Euphonia is a master mimic and a jewel of the South American...

Birds

Violaceous Jay

Cyanocorax violaceus

A social and intelligent jewel of the Amazon, the Violaceous Jay stands out with its stunning violet plumage and bold...

Birds

Violet-bellied Hummingbird

Chlorestes julie

A jewel of the understory, the male Violet-bellied Hummingbird dazzles with its namesake iridescent plumage. Found in...

Birds

Violet-capped Hummingbird

Goldmania violiceps

A hidden gem of the Panamanian highlands, the Violet-capped Hummingbird dazzles with its royal purple crown and shimm...

Birds

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Thalurania glaucopis

A shimmering jewel of the South American forest, the Violet-capped Woodnymph dazzles with its namesake purple crown a...

Birds

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

Ramosomyia violiceps

Boasting a shimmering sapphire cap and a breast as white as fresh snow, the Violet-crowned Hummingbird is the crown j...

Birds

Violet-fronted Brilliant

Heliodoxa leadbeateri

A dazzling inhabitant of the Andean cloud forests, the Violet-fronted Brilliant captivates with its shimmering violet...

Birds

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina

Meet the emerald acrobat of the Western skies. With its shimmering violet rump and dazzling white face, the Violet-gr...

Birds

Violet Sabrewing

Campylopterus hemileucurus

The Violet Sabrewing is the undisputed heavyweight of the hummingbird world in Central America. With its shimmering p...

Birds

Violet Woodhoopoe

Phoeniculus damarensis

Meet the social butterfly of the African savanna. With its brilliant red bill and shimmering violet plumage, the Viol...

Birds

Virginia Opossum

Didelphis virginiana

Meet North America's only marsupial, a quiet nocturnal wanderer that provides free pest control for your garden. With...

Mammals

Virginian Tiger Moth

Spilosoma virginica

Known for its pristine white wings and its fuzzy 'Yellow Bear' caterpillar, the Virginian Tiger Moth is a common but ...

Insects

Virginia's Warbler

Leiothlypis virginiae

A subtle gem of the Western scrublands, Virginia’s Warbler blends perfectly into the pinyon-juniper shadows until it ...

Birds

Vivid Dancer

Argia vivida

The Vivid Dancer is a jewel of the American West, known for its brilliant electric-blue color and its ability to thri...

Insects

Volvox

Petrosimonia triandra

A master of the salt flats, the Volvox (Petrosimonia triandra) is a unique 'rolling' plant that thrives where others ...

Insects

Vulturine Guineafowl

Acryllium vulturinum

With its striking cobalt blue plumage and distinct vulture-like head, the Vulturine Guineafowl is arguably the most s...

Birds

Wagler's Snake

Xenodon merremii

Meet the ultimate actor of the reptile world. Wagler's Snake is a harmless South American native that survives by per...

Reptiles

Wahlberg's Eagle

Hieraaetus wahlbergi

A nimble master of the African savanna, Wahlberg's Eagle is a migratory marvel known for its distinctive crest and in...

Birds

Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri

A bolt of iridescent blue in the open ocean, the Wahoo is the ultimate high-speed predator. Known for its razor-sharp...

Fish