Test Your Knowledge: The Ultimate National Flags With Animals Quiz

Have you ever looked closely at national flags and wondered about the symbols they display? While stars, stripes, and geometric shapes are common, a surprising number of countries feature animals on their official banners. From majestic eagles to unique native creatures, these symbols often represent national identity, history, or ideals. Think you know your vexillology (the study of flags)? Get ready to test your knowledge with our National Flags With Animals Quiz!

Common Creatures and Surprising Sightings

Before diving into the full list, it’s interesting to note some trends. Researching global flags reveals a distinct preference for certain animals. Eagles are overwhelmingly popular, appearing in various forms – gold, white, yellow, bald, and even two-headed – symbolizing power, freedom, and sovereignty. Lions are another frequent choice, often representing courage, royalty, and strength.

Flag of Albania featuring a black two-headed eagle on a red background

However, the world of flag animals holds fascinating surprises. For instance, many might assume the animal on Peru’s flag is the well-known Llama. It’s actually a Vicuña, a smaller, wild relative known for its fine wool, highlighting the country’s unique biodiversity. Some flags go all out, like the banner of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, which manages to incorporate a Macaroni Penguin, a Fur Seal, a Golden Lion, and even a Reindeer!

Flag of Bhutan featuring the Druk thunder dragon

The Great Flag Animal Challenge: Can You Identify Them All?

We’ve scoured resources like the CIA World Factbook to compile a list of nations and territories whose flags feature at least one animal. Our current count stands at 36. How many can you identify or guess correctly? Let’s see!

• Albania: Features a striking two-headed eagle.
• American Samoa: Depicts an eagle, symbolizing the nation’s relationship with the US.
• Andorra: The coat of arms on the flag includes two red cattle.
  Flag of Andorra shield detail showing two red cattle
• Bermuda: Features a red lion holding a shield depicting a shipwreck.
• Bhutan: Showcases the “Druk” or Thunder Dragon, a key figure in Bhutanese mythology.
• Cayman Islands: The coat of arms includes a turtle (representing seafaring tradition) and a golden lion (symbolizing Great Britain).
• Christmas Island: Displays a Golden Bosun Bird in flight.
  Flag of Christmas Island displaying a golden bosun bird
• Croatia: The shield features multiple crests, including one with a goat and another with a marten (the national animal, “kuna”).
• Dominica: Proudly displays the Sisserou parrot, a species endemic to the island.
  Flag of Dominica featuring the native Sisserou parrot
• Ecuador: Crowned by an Andean condor spreading its wings.
• Egypt: Features the golden Eagle of Saladin.
  Flag of Egypt centered with the golden Eagle of Saladin
• Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): The coat of arms includes a white ram.
• Fiji: The shield contains a white dove and is supported by a lion holding a cocoa pod.
  Flag of Fiji shield detail including a white dove and lion
• Guatemala: Features the Resplendent Quetzal, the national bird, perched on a scroll.
• Jersey: The shield displays three golden lions (passant guardant).
  Flag of Jersey showing three golden lions on a red shield
• Kazakhstan: Depicts a soaring golden steppe eagle beneath a golden sun.
• Kiribati: Features a yellow frigate bird flying over a rising sun.
  Flag of Kiribati depicting a yellow frigate bird over a rising sun
• Mexico: Showcases the famous emblem of an eagle devouring a snake while perched on a cactus.
• Moldova: The coat of arms includes a Roman eagle holding a cross, scepter, and olive branch, with an Aurochs head (similar to a cow) on its chest.
  Flag of Moldova coat of arms featuring an eagle and aurochs head
• Montenegro: Features a golden two-headed eagle with a lion passant on the shield it bears.
• Papua New Guinea: Displays a silhouette of a Raggiana bird-of-paradise.
  Flag of Papua New Guinea showing a yellow bird-of-paradise silhouette
• Peru: The coat of arms includes the Vicuña.
• Poland (State Flag Variant): Features a crowned white eagle on a red shield, placed on the white stripe.
  Variant of the Polish Flag showing a crowned white eagle
• Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha: The coat of arms on the Saint Helena flag features the endemic Saint Helena Plover, known locally as the Wirebird.
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon (Unofficial flag): Includes symbols representing Basque Country, Brittany, and Normandy, featuring lions.
  Unofficial flag of Saint Pierre and Miquelon featuring lions
• Serbia: Displays a white two-headed eagle.
• Sint Maarten: The coat of arms features a Brown Pelican flying over the courthouse.
  Flag of Sint Maarten coat of arms with a Brown Pelican
• South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands: The coat of arms is rich with wildlife: a Macaroni Penguin, a Fur Seal, a Golden Lion, and a Reindeer.
• Spain: The coat of arms includes the lion representing the Kingdom of León.
  Flag of Spain coat of arms detail showing the lion of León
• Sri Lanka: Features a prominent golden lion holding a sword (the Lion Flag).
• Turks and Caicos Islands: The shield depicts a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and a cactus.
  Flag of Turks and Caicos Islands shield with conch, lobster, and cactus
• Uganda: Centered with a white disc displaying a grey crowned crane, the national symbol.
• Virgin Islands (US): Features an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows.
  Flag of the US Virgin Islands featuring an eagle
• Wales: Showcases a large red dragon passant (Y Ddraig Goch).
• Zambia: Features an orange African fish eagle in flight in the upper fly.
  Flag of Zambia featuring an orange African fish eagle
• Zimbabwe: Depicts the Zimbabwe Bird (a soapstone sculpture found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe) on a red star.

Did we miss any? Flag designs and official symbols can sometimes be complex or change. If you know of another national flag featuring an animal, let us know!

How Did You Score on the Flag Animal Quiz?

So, how did you fare in this world flags trivia challenge? Were you surprised by the sheer number of countries incorporating animals into their national symbols, or by the specific creatures chosen? From powerful predators like eagles and lions to unique local fauna like the Vicuña, Sisserou parrot, and the Zimbabwe Bird, these flags offer a fascinating glimpse into national identity and natural heritage.

Which flag featuring an animal is your favorite, or which one surprised you the most? Share your thoughts and maybe even your quiz score in the comments below!