Animal ID

Common names for animals are often easier to remember than their Latin names, but they can often lead to confusion. Here are 10 animals with some very misleading names.

Droppings or scats can tell us a lot about which animals have been visiting our gardens, parks and countryside, including hedgehogs, foxes and badgers. Our expert guide explains how to identify which poos belong to which species. Plus, animal droppings from species from around the world – and fungi and insects you might spot on droppings.

Tall vegetation in midsummer makes it easy to spot the regular paths that wild animals take - and where they rested.

Identify common baby birds with this handy chart

Meet the four woodpecker species that can be found in the UK.

Found a bird feather? Use this handy guide by naturalist and presenter Brett Westwood to identify which bird it comes from.

Learn how to identify common British caterpillars with our expert guide to distinguishing markings, what they eat, and where and when to find them.

Learn how to identify British birds' eggs with our expert guide by naturalist and presenter Brett Westwood, including which species it came from and where you are most likely to see.

An easy guide to identifying bird and mammals nests you are may find in your garden or local area, including blackbird, robin, hedgehog and grey squirrel.

As spring brings an abundance of new life, it’s time to talk about the birds and the bee-flies. Here is selection of the month's best wildlife spectacles from around the British countryside in March.

From fruiting fungus to winter birds, here is selection of the month's best wildlife spectacles from around the British countryside in February.

If your New Year’s resolution involves making more time to enjoy nature, what are you waiting for?

A tautonym is an interesting quirk in the naming system of animals, where the words used for the genus and specific names are identical. Learn more about tautonyms, triple tautonyms, binomial nomenclature, and examples of tautonyms.

Whether out and about or hidden away in a sheltered spot, there’s plenty of winter wildlife to track down.

Your essential guide to the wildlife events to enjoy as the foliage turns ochre, amber and gold.

You can learn a lot from broken bird eggs, including whether they hatched naturally or were predated. Learn how to identify birds' eggs remains and the species which most likely stole the egg from the nest.

Skulls can be found virtually anywhere, but skull identification can be difficult. Learn how to identify common mammal skulls in our expert guide.

Early spring is a great time to look for the cast antlers of British deer. Learn how to identify antlers in BBC Wildlife expert guide.

Learn how to find and identify British animal tracks and trails when they are well preserved in wet mud or snow with BBC Wildlife expert tracking guide.

Naturalist and TV presenter Brett Westwood describes 12 species for you to look for on your next rockpooling adventure.

White-tailed or buff-tailed? Our guide will help you recognise 12 early-emerging bee species - many of which are common in gardens. Plus, some other insects which may be confused for bees.

Use our illustrated guide to help you spot 12 migrant and resident birds on the move in spring in the UK.

Short winter days may restrict your birdwatching time, but if you’re canny you can just wait for the birds to come to you. Use this guide to improve your roosting bird ID skills.

Learn how to identify common pollinators in your wildlife-friendly garden with our expert guide.