ABSTRACT In the face of accelerating biodiversity loss, there is a need for widespread public support for conservation efforts. To increase the understanding of biodiversity issues, researchers suggest beginning with the acquisition of species knowledge. However, to optimally support the successful acquisition of species knowledge, influencing factors must first be identified. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between species knowledge, environmental attitudes, and connection to nature, as well as individual variables such as interest, perception, and animal-related activities. Species knowledge was assessed using 50 bird species. A total of 3438 German participants were asked to identify these species in an online survey. Structural equation modelling results indicated that interest in birds and involvement in animal-related activities positively influenced species knowledge. Surprisingly, the perception of birds negatively affected species knowledge, highlighting the complexity of personal biases in environmental education. While connectedness to nature doesn’t directly influence bird knowledge, it emerges as a strong predictor of pro-environmental attitudes. Therefore, promoting species knowledge by stimulating interest and involvement in animal-related activities is essential for raising awareness of biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, connecting people with nature helps to foster pro-environmental attitudes, leading to a more sustainable and eco-centric future.