Sure, Amsterdam is a city, and boasts little in terms of animal life (although the parks are enviable, and the zoo is pretty cool). But you will run across various mammals, birds, and even a reptile or two if you stay in the city long enough. A few examples:

Pigeons. My least favorite, most likely for two reasons: 1) they have repeatedly pooped on my shoes, jacket, etc. from an unseen perch above, usually while I’m unlocking my bike; 2) they like to totter in front of bikes and then fly straight up, thus almost causing a major accident.

Horses. I love horses, especially their smell. Sounds strange but I think it reminds me of the days that I used to ride when I was younger. You do see horses on the city streets, whether they are pulling tourists or transporting fake Heineken kegs. Or being ridden by a Dutch police wo/man. The clomp-clomp is always a nice reminder of where you are.

Mice. In my experience, they are most often seen in the tracks at the Central Station, before a train has arrived. I know plenty of people that have had to deal with an infestation in their homes, but I have been lucky. So far. The picture is a very cute, very small mouse, sniffing around a terrace where I had lunch.

Next week: Cockroaches, ducks and green parrots.