Wildlife Species Library

Fish

Rosefin Shiner

Lythrurus ardens

A hidden gem of Appalachian waterways, the Rosefin Shiner transforms from a subtle silver minnow into a blushing mast...

Insects

Rosemary Beetle

Chrysolina americana

Adorned in shimmering metallic stripes of emerald and amethyst, the Rosemary Beetle is a slow-moving jewel of the her...

Fish

Rosethorn Rockfish

Sebastes helvomaculatus

A gem of the deep Pacific, the Rosethorn Rockfish is famous for its striking pink hues and mysterious white markings....

Mammals

Ross Seal

Ommatophoca rossii

The ghost of the Antarctic pack ice, the Ross Seal is a rare and beautiful sight. With its massive, soulful eyes and ...

Birds

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

The Ross's Goose is a petite, elegant traveler of the North American flyways. Often mistaken for its larger cousin, t...

Fish

Rosy Rockfish

Sebastes rosaceus

A vibrant jewel of the Pacific deep, the Rosy Rockfish stands out with its striking pink scales and mottled purple ma...

Fish

Rosyface Shiner

Notropis rubellus

A shimmering inhabitant of North America's clearest streams, the Rosyface Shiner is best known for the stunning crims...

Fish

Rosyside Dace

Clinostomus funduloides

A hidden gem of Appalachian streams, the Rosyside Dace is a small fish with a big personality. Known for its vivid re...

Birds

Rough-legged Hawk

Buteo lagopus

A majestic visitor from the Arctic tundra, the Rough-legged Hawk is a master of the winter winds. Known for its uniqu...

Fish

Rough Silverside

Membras martinica

Meet the shimmering ghost of the coastline. The Rough Silverside is a master of camouflage, using its translucent bod...

Fish

Round Fantail Stingray

Taeniurops grabatus

A circular giant of the sandy depths, the Round Fantail Stingray is one of the most striking rays found in coastal wa...

Fish

Round Goby

Neogobius melanostomus

A tenacious bottom-dweller with a unique suction-cup grip, the Round Goby is a small fish with a massive ecological i...

Mammals

Round-tailed Ground Squirrel

Xerospermophilus tereticaudus

Meet the 'desert sentinel,' a charmingly slender squirrel that blends perfectly with the Southwest's sandy floor. Wat...

Fish

Round Whitefish

Prosopium cylindraceum

A sleek, silver-scaled resident of the deep, the Round Whitefish is a master of the lake bottom. Recognizable by its ...

Insects

Roundneck Sexton Beetle

Nicrophorus orbicollis

A fascinating nocturnal recycler, the Roundneck Sexton Beetle is the forest's master undertaker. Known for its devote...

Birds

Royal Spoonbill

Platalea regia

With its iconic spoon-shaped bill and elegant white plumes, the Royal Spoonbill is a masterpiece of specialized evolu...

Birds

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

The Royal Tern is the crowning jewel of the coastline, instantly recognizable by its fiery orange bill and punk-rock ...

Birds

Rüppell's Griffon

Gyps rueppelli

The undisputed record-holder for the world's highest flight, the Rüppell's Griffon is a master of the African skies. ...

Birds

Rüppell's Warbler

Curruca ruppeli

A striking icon of the Mediterranean scrub, the Rüppell’s Warbler stands out with its sharp black hood and vivid red ...

Birds

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Corthylio calendula

A tiny ball of energy with a hidden splash of crimson, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a backyard favorite known for its ...

Insects

Ruby Meadowhawk

Sympetrum rubicundulum

A flash of brilliant crimson in the summer sun, the Ruby Meadowhawk is one of the most striking dragonflies found in ...

Birds

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a shimmering emerald marvel that defies the limits of avian flight. Watch as these t...

Birds

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Chrysolampis mosquitus

Witness the spectacular 'living gem' of the tropics. The Ruby-topaz Hummingbird dazzles observers with its fiery irid...

Insects

Ruddy Darter

Sympetrum sanguineum

With its striking blood-red body and jet-black legs, the Ruddy Darter is one of the most vivid summer visitors to the...

Birds

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensis

Famous for its vibrant sky-blue bill and its habit of cocking its tail like a wren, the Ruddy Duck is the small, spun...

Birds

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

A small bird with a big personality, the Ruddy Ground Dove adds a splash of warm cinnamon color to backyards across t...

Birds

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

A secretive gem of the forest floor, the Ruddy Quail-Dove is a master of camouflage in the tropical shadows. With its...

Birds

Ruddy Shelduck

Tadorna ferruginea

A stunning, cinnamon-colored waterfowl known for its goose-like honk and striking white wing patches. Whether grazing...

Birds

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

The world's most industrious beachcomber, the Ruddy Turnstone is a master of the shoreline that uses its bill like a ...

Fish

Ruffe

Gymnocephalus cernua

A small but incredibly resilient bottom-dweller, the Ruffe is a master of low-light survival. While a vital part of E...

Birds

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus rufiventris

The national bird of Brazil, the Rufous-bellied Thrush is a master songster with a vibrant orange belly. A common and...

Birds

Rufous-capped Brushfinch

Atlapetes pileatus

Meet the 'jewel of the thicket'—the Rufous-capped Brushfinch. Endemic to the Mexican highlands, this striking bird br...

Birds

Rufous-capped Warbler

Basileuterus rufifrons

A vibrant burst of color in the brush, the Rufous-capped Warbler is a spirited songbird that brings a touch of the tr...

Birds

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

With its dapper reddish collar and soulful regional song, the Rufous-collared Sparrow is the quintessential backyard ...

Birds

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

The copper-colored daredevil of the sky. Known for its incredible 3,000-mile migration and feisty personality, the Ru...

Birds

Rufous Motmot

Baryphthengus martii

With its striking cinnamon plumage and iconic pendulum tail, the Rufous Motmot is a crown jewel of the Neotropical fo...