There’s a reason why the cute baby animal pics scene is dominated by mammals like kitties and bunnies, but you don’t see a lot of baby birds. It’s because most of them have some serious awkward phases (with the exception of ducks and chickens… they seem to be blessed with looking cute in their baby pictures.) Where do you think the tale of the Ugly Duckling comes from? Apparently, it takes a while to grow a majestic and functional coat of feathers, and they can look pretty silly in the meantime.
Scroll down to see some impressive bird glow-ups. We bet you didn’t know what at least a few of these birds looked like as babies. Upvote the ones that surprise you the most!
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Cardinal
Everyone loves seeing cute, red cardinals outside their window. They're so popular that they have been designated the state bird of seven states in the US: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Looks like this guy had permanent bad hair... sorry... feather days in his childhood. Cute fellow nonetheless
Peacock
Technically, only the males of this species are peacocks, while the females are peahens, and all of them together are peafowl. Also, technically, a group of them is called an "ostentation" or a "pride", but we probably won't remember either of those rules.
i was always impressed how adorable peachick eyes are, almost like he used liner
The baby looks like he's pouting. Not as grumpy-looking as the baby cardinal, though.
Fun fact: baby peacocks can also do the fanning thing with their tail, but the feathers are usually super small so it's even more adorable.
Ooooo! I didn't know that. I super want to see that now!
Load More Replies...for a second I thought the top one was a wittle cute baby ducky! but instead it was a beautiful peacock. idk whether to be dissapointed or suprised or both XD
for a few months we had a peahen hanging around the back/front yards many yrs ago
Tuffted Puffin
Puffins' feet and beaks only turn orange during their spring breeding season. Conveniently for them, that's also the only time when they come ashore, so we only have photos of them looking their best.
He looks like your parents when you are telling them that you gonna be a DJ or a crystal healer. Like "o, Honey!"
Their feathers on the upper portion of bodies look like fur instead of feathers!
Thank-you, I didn't realise I have pictures, a model and try to sketch them, not knowing.
Pigeons are an unusual case because, even if you live in a city and you see more pigeons than you can count every day, you’ve probably never seen one tending to a nest with baby pigeons in it.
That’s because the feral pigeons that live in cities all over the world are descended from rock doves, which put their nests on steep rock faces, or in caves. Urban pigeons carry on this behavior by nesting on roofs, under windowsills on tall buildings, and anywhere where absolutely nobody without wings can find them. If you hadn't thought about it until now, that's proof that they're good at it.
Pigeons stay safely hidden away until they’re at least 40 days old, and then they come out with a shiny coat of feathers just like their parents. Good for them, it looks like it’s less embarrassing that way.
Barn Owl
Barn owls don't actually hoot, they only screech. Mood.
it's a tie for one of it looks so fluffy, and the adult looks so slick and cool
Adorable, but with awesome feet so you can see what he is going to be when he grows up!
Grey Crowned Crane
The grey-crowned crane, one of the flashiest members of the crane family, lives in south and east Africa and is the national bird of Uganda.
it's just amazing that the goofy looking baby will grow into such a magnificent bird.
Toco Toucan
The size of a toucan's bill can make predators think that it isn't worth trying to catch one, but it's so light and delicate that it's not actually useful for self-defense.
I didn't know Toucans were planted and grown in pots! You learn something new every day
The babies' beaks look way to big for their size and then they grow up to have beaks that look way too big for their size.
Chicken
It only takes 21 days for a fertilized chicken egg to form a fluffy little chick like this one, but it takes a lot of work. A hen turns the egg over at least 50 times a day so it can remain in the center of the egg and grow normally.
This is weird but my 86(?) Year old grandmother has a phobia of baby chicks like this. Freaks her out.
It's so sad that Chickens are subject to cruelty in the egg and meat industry.
Recently learned it doesn’t take a real long time to be out of the little chick stage! Mom’s boyfriend has chickens on his farm.
Baby chicks are my absolute favorite!! I also love chickens!! :D
This is not the same chicken. The first one is a factory farm chicken who has had the tip of his beak burned off. The second is a home chicken.
I don't think anyone is claiming that the baby version and the adult versions are the same actual birds. Though unnecessary to downvote you, so upvoted.
Load More Replies...Goffin's Cockatoo
If you haven't had any kind of cockatoo as a pet before, you probably didn't know that they produce dust. It keeps their feathers clean, but does the opposite for the bird owner's home.
BoredPanda, that is a baby cockatiel. -former professional baby parrot feeder
The baby version's looks a bit like the baby in the television show, Dinosaurs.
Peregrine Falcon
Falcons can be trained to be bird security guards and keep other birds away from places where they could cause trouble, like landfills or vineyards.
The chicks look like you walked in while they were getting dressed and the adult looks like he remembers.
There's something in the face expression of this bird that reminds me of cats.
Daria B: Yes, I see what you mean. I think it's the eyes.
Load More Replies...That one embarrassing picture that your mom takes and shows everyone!
the top one- when ur mom talks about your love life to your fam like you aren't in the room
Those babies look like mama said "wait until your father gets home!!" And they just heard his car pull in....
Those poor chicks look scared to death- wish they'd used a nest-cam.
the babies look like they just got caught sneaking cookies from the jar XD
Chaffinch
Chaffinches are some of the most common singing birds, but maybe "singing" isn't the right word, as they actually have at least 9 calls with consistent and discrete meanings.
WTF?! They start out as an eccentric old professor, then end up as a handsome teenager.
Hah hah, I can't stop seeing the resemblance now!
Load More Replies...I honestly love how so many baby birds look like grumpy old men or frazzled University professors the day before grading is due.
Bleeding-Heart Pidgoen
Well, if having a blood-red spot on your chest has anything to do with you being a girl, you might want to have a doctor check that out. If it's about being a person with a beating heart at about that spot, it's irrelevant that you're female. 🤔
Load More Replies...Ok but there's a cool/creepy/a bit unsettling story about (I think it was) these birds
Yes, basically, a dove brushed against one of Christ's open wounds from a Roman soldier's spear while he was being crucified,staining its white feathers red. So now all of these doves spot this red mark in honor of Jesus.
Load More Replies...House Martin
Hummingbird
Most of hummingbirds' functions happen too quickly for humans to even perceive: their wings flap at least 50 times per second, their heart rate is about 20 beats per second, and they can stick out and withdraw their tongues 20 times per second while feeding.
I once had a family of hummingbirds make a nest on my wind chimes. That was my favorite summer.
They nest in my garden at my current house and it's so magical and tiny.
Load More Replies...Photo one looks like a blanket when you smooth it the wrong way.
I have a lot of these Hummers around me and I love it!!!!! I have 5 feeders to watch daily!
Pileated Woodpecker
Woodpeckers' disporportionately long tongues wrap around the skull, like a tape measure.
The baby looks like it had a rough day. Like, a "fell unconscious on a highway and got overrun by every car that came along"-rough day.
Is it terrible to say that some baby birds (like this one...) make my skin crawl? :-PPP
They are not at their most beautiful when very young!
Load More Replies...the babies feather looks rough, and the adults looks cool. so, adult is the winner here
Golden Pheasant
Golden pheasants are native to the forests of China, but they've been imported and formed feral populations on every continent but Antarctica, because everyone wants some golden pheasants, I guess.
Trump prays to the hair-gods every night that he'll wake up some day with these beautiful locks!!!
Gannet
In the Netherlands they call this birds Jan-van-Genten. It’s a common name for humans.
fluffy with a mean looks or majestic with a mean looks... the adult wins
Ostrich
The babies look like they are wearing loose fitting tights, or pants I guess..
Nora Batty tights. For those who know the TV show 'Last Of The Summer Wine'. I wasn't a fan but my father was.
Load More Replies...Oh my goodness! They look like there are wearing tiny boots. I never knew the chicks had markings like that.
so,.. they run like cheetah and roar like lions but looks like a bird. wow,... just wow,...
Load More Replies...From Cheetah-Emu-Turtle to Ostrich. Pretty damn impressive, if i say so myself
Those have got to be the cutest out of all the species of baby birds!
Tit
the top one- when there is only one worm left and ur younger sibling eats it like they didn't see you eyeing it for 20 mins
Lol "tit" In German they're called "Meise" Which can also be used for describing someone as nuts. Btw I think 'blue tits' are the cutest, if that is the correct english term.
Swan
yeah, I never understood why they chose a cygnet as an "ugly" duckling - they're just freakin' adorable.
Load More Replies...i got an encounter with a baby swan. it just walks right up to me. then momma attacks me.
In the Hans Cristian Anderson tale, the egg with the swan inside landed in a ducks nest, and he was considered ugly becuse he so different from the other ducklings when the egg cracked open. He was raised among ducks instead of swans, and became a swan and not a duck.
Load More Replies...Look at how the water droplets settle into the feathers (picture 1)
Raven
Absolutely! Ravens and Crows are my favorite type of birds
Load More Replies...I'm getting some serious Edgar Alan Poe vibes. Ravens are among some of the most intelligent birds and multiple studies have been conducted regarding their problem-solving skills and mental cognition. They also feature predominantly in the myths and folklore of so many different culture.
Mallard Duck
We used to have Mallards around our campus river. I loved it during the spring because there'd be dozens of those little ducklings running around trying their best to keep up with mom....
Mississippi Kite
Kites are very cool birds. They "hover" in place in the air and dive bomb. At least from what I've seen.
Grey Headed Albatross
stick a finger over here... you know that the human finger mimics a small fish...
Load More Replies...I would like an outfit in all those colors, and the grey would be velvet!
the face didn't change much, and the baby one is like handsome Squidward with fluff... i think the adult is better here
albatross is a really big birds, birds with the biggest wing span if i remember it right. so the even chicks is almost as big as an teenage chicken.
I wish they showed a baby, hatchling... This one is more of a pre-teen, than baby.
Bald Eagle
I always think if Canada when I see the bald eagle, we have so many in north vancouver, I rarely associate them with the USA.
They live in 49 states in the US, plus northern Mexico. A truly North American bird.
Load More Replies...Bald eagles don't get the white on their heads until they're two to three years old. Before then, they're brownish/black and occasionally get mistaken for Golden Eagles. Adult bald eagles are a scruffy bunch - not "noble" in the least. They squabble like grannies, have untidy feathers and they'll eat literally anything - and they don't care how long it's been dead.
the top one- when they say you dont look anything like your sibling...and your twins
Night Heron
Baby Heron looks like he had a night out and tries to sneak in without his parents noticing
I wanted a glowup too but now I just be looking like download-1...34a47.jpeg
Pigeon
The parents keep them hidden bc they take one look and say "No one can ever know we made something this ugly."
Load More Replies...Downvote me all you want but I just have to say, baby pigeon kinda looks like testicle
This is a very good way of telling if you have been brainwashed. If you believe pigeons are ‘dirty’ or a ‘pest’ and yet if you painted the bird white you’d call it a dove and a sign of peace (ironic) then you have been brainwashed so the government can happily murder pigeons without you causing a fuss. In conclusion; this is how you know you’re stupid.
A few years back pigeons decided to lay an egg in a window type planter on the floor of my balcony where i had it for the winter - a baby was born in mid January and I was afraid to open the door. Eventually, it grew and got its gorgeous blue feathers and I watched as it fledged and joined its parents in the sky - only they kept coming back having decided they had a new dove cote - sadly, out went the planter.
I can relate. It's a beautiful, wonderful miracle to watch the first time, but you are paying real money for a balcony you'd probably like to use without bird droppings everywhere.
Load More Replies...White Tern
🎵 to everything, tern, tern, tern 🎵 (my apologies to musical group The Byrds)
Gentoo Penguin
Flamingo
True story: they’re only pink because of canthaxanthin that they obtain from their diet of brine shrimp and blue-green algae.
I still think the weirdest thing about flamingos is ... the... REALLY weird way their beaks are built... to accommodate... that they eat 'backwards'. It's a rear-scooping-flat-bottomed shovel... (yes yes, to get the shrimp and algae)
I always thought of it as eating upside down..., but Yes! Really really interesting!
Load More Replies...Flamingo chicks start out white and turn gray pretty quickly. They're just as ungainly as they look, too.
Turkey
I’ve never met a turkey that didn’t have mycoplasma, like a snotty cold in birds. Enjoy your Christmas dinner murderers!
Gyrfalcon
Killdeer
They are just named after the sound they make which sounds like kill-deer. They are harmless to deer.
Load More Replies...They make their nests in rocks. I get them in my driveway. The mother will feign injury to distract you from its nest.
Good thing birds are born in eggs. The beak would be hell to birth without it!
bird on on bottom) hey, hey friend! get on top of me so we can invade the deers!! bird on top) Okay buddy. Deers) AHHHHHH ITS THE KILLDEER TWINS! RUNNNNNNN FOE YO LIVESSS doe's) ... ahhh.... so scary.....
Shoebill Stork
Kea
He looks like he's been dusting under my bed with his body.
Yay! this one actually looks like a grown up version of their selves!!
Barn Swallow
ive raised a baby swallow from outside my old barn. i loved him. i named him tailow.
Robin Bird
The European Robin. The North American Robin is vastly different and, sadly, not as pretty.
Yes, I agree. Our Robin is not pretty, Also very cheeky, border lining annoying. They do have pretty blue eggs. https://images.app.goo.gl/6tF87ixXj6oDMJiB8
Load More Replies...i saved a robin from a cat. found a nest, put it there, and waited
Blue Jay
I tried caring for a baby bluejay that i found in my tomatoes. turns out It hat parents looking for him.
Goose
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Load More Replies...Last year, I volunteered at a fenced-off garden in my city that's right next to a river. One "spring clean-up Saturday" while clearing away some brush, I inadvertently got too close to a nest of baby Canadian geese. The mom and dad weren't playing around in scaring me off! Then they saw the rest of the volunteers, and started honking and chasing people. For 5 minutes, it looked like something out of one of those old Mack Sennett "Keystone Kops" silent pictures, with everyone trying not to get the backs of their legs bitten by these big, angry geese! Once we figured out how close was too close to the nest for them and stayed away, finished the rest of our work, and left, the entire family then walked through the garden, and we could see the four adorable chicks.
UwU the baby duckling has an adorable bottom!!!!! SO UwU CUTE!!!!! I guess he wasn't in the mood for face pictures.
Red-Winged Blackbird
i hate these things. they creep me out when i see them in trees or on signs on the side of the road
Grey Parrot
Dove
Kiwi
Agreed, this is what a kiwi chick looks like 3d187e0c4c...11125d.jpg
These are two different species of kiwi. First one is a brown kiwi and the second 'older one' is a spotted kiwi with it's bill probing in the ground for food. It may be a young Great Spotted kiwi or be an adult Little Spotted kiwi. There are 5 different types of kiwi. :)
Red-Tailed Hawk
Black-Winged Stilt
Red Tailed Tropic Bird
Seagull
Haha, don’t say “seagull” to a birder – they’ll quickly correct you. There’s actually no such bird. Just different species of “gulls”. The photo is either a lesser black-backed gull or a herring gull.
Marabou Stork
Sorry bird, that adult face scares the sh*t out of me. Reminds me of Pennywise the clown for some reason.
Those are actually in reference to the White stork as they are incredibly caring towards their young.
Load More Replies...House Sparrow
Hey! We have one of those! Ours is called Bertram. 54525608_2...f7b2cb.jpg
these a******s make a huge f*****g mess in my garage. it gets annoying when the make their way inside too. idek HOW they get in!
Chinese Bamboo Partridge
Red Wattled Lapwing
American White Pelican
“A wonderful bird is the Pelican. His beak can hold more than his belly can. He can hold in his beak Enough food for a week! But I'll be darned if I know how the hellican?”
Turkey Vulture
That baby is so small and fluffy! Turkey vultures are actually quite cute if you ask me.
thank you! i’ve always thought the same thing and people called me weird. they’re cute on a rather odd way..
Load More Replies...These are all over the place here. They're actually much bigger and the ones around here have more white feathers.
one time i was riding my bike while playing pokemon go. i went to the gym near my house, which was a water tower. and when i look up, i see a bunch of these birds perched on the water tower. i guess I was near a chick cuz 2 of em flew down and attacked me. i was just waving my arms around in the air, but they would just claw me. i just got on my bike and drove. they followed me for two blocks until they left. went home and had to get lots of band aids on me. no deep cuts, just long gashes. im fine.
Subalpine Warbler
Red-Vented Bulbul
Oooh I luv these birds! There are a lot of them here in Bangladesh! But their body is mostly black with some white stripes on the wings and of course, the red vent :D
Caique
I didn't realize that those " tubes " are the beginning of feathers on the baby... cute
They encase all birds feathers and birds preen themselves or others to remove them. Fun to do for certain pet birds like cockatiels.
Load More Replies...North American Robin
Andean Condor
Fantastic gallery :D It's amazing how some of the birds change totally when grown up :D
Why the hell are there stupid sex spam posts everywhere??? Pleas fix them!
Load More Replies...ive encountered so many of these birds. guess im a chick magnet ;)
Bored panda please stop shortening the lists! If someone is bored mid list then they can move on but are missing out on so much if the list is shortened and don't click on the extra images!
"Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes." this is written after 30th photo. if you click on the "57 images" you can watch them all ;)
Load More Replies...Regardless what you may call all of them. They are all still dinosaurs, or what's left of them.
well, at least these birds can't eat people... (though some might eat people if there a chance of it)
Load More Replies...When God was handing out beauty he went overboard when he got to birds - they are all stunningly gorgeous!! <3
I raised Zebra finches for several years. New hatchlings are really not cute. They hatch completely helpless, blind, mostly naked, all mouth and (ahem) rear end. The pinfeather stage is so awkward for them - for most birds, really! I often wonder if the feathers itch as they break through, or hurt like teething in babies. I am personally still waiting to get beyond my pinfeather stage.
Fantastic gallery :D It's amazing how some of the birds change totally when grown up :D
Why the hell are there stupid sex spam posts everywhere??? Pleas fix them!
Load More Replies...ive encountered so many of these birds. guess im a chick magnet ;)
Bored panda please stop shortening the lists! If someone is bored mid list then they can move on but are missing out on so much if the list is shortened and don't click on the extra images!
"Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes." this is written after 30th photo. if you click on the "57 images" you can watch them all ;)
Load More Replies...Regardless what you may call all of them. They are all still dinosaurs, or what's left of them.
well, at least these birds can't eat people... (though some might eat people if there a chance of it)
Load More Replies...When God was handing out beauty he went overboard when he got to birds - they are all stunningly gorgeous!! <3
I raised Zebra finches for several years. New hatchlings are really not cute. They hatch completely helpless, blind, mostly naked, all mouth and (ahem) rear end. The pinfeather stage is so awkward for them - for most birds, really! I often wonder if the feathers itch as they break through, or hurt like teething in babies. I am personally still waiting to get beyond my pinfeather stage.
