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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!

#1

Cardinal

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.

pixabay , pxhere Report

#2

Peacock

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.

piqsels , tambako Report

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MagicalUnicorn
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i was always impressed how adorable peachick eyes are, almost like he used liner

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#3

Tuffted Puffin

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.

wikipedia Report

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.

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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.

#4

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Barn owls don't actually hoot, they only screech. Mood.

portableportraits Report

#5

Grey Crowned Crane

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.

goodfreephotos , wikimedia Report

#6

Toco Toucan

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.

Wikimedia Report

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't know Toucans were planted and grown in pots! You learn something new every day

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#7

Chicken

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.

pxhere , pxfuel Report

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Jacob-Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is weird but my 86(?) Year old grandmother has a phobia of baby chicks like this. Freaks her out.

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#8

Goffin's Cockatoo

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.

robandstephanielevy , needpix Report

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#9

Peregrine Falcon

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.

Patrick Cashin , cuatrok77 Report

#10

Chaffinch

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.

maxpixels , pixabay Report

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captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WTF?! They start out as an eccentric old professor, then end up as a handsome teenager.

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#11

Bleeding-Heart Pidgoen

Bleeding-Heart Pidgoen

wikimedia Report

#13

Hummingbird

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.

Wikimedia Report

#15

Golden Pheasant

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.

needpix , cuatrok77 Report

#16

Gannet

Gannet

flickr , wikimedia Report

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Thunder
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the Netherlands they call this birds Jan-van-Genten. It’s a common name for humans.

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#21

Mallard Duck

Mallard Duck

pixabay , mualphachi Report

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Carol Emory
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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....

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#23

Grey Headed Albatross

Grey Headed Albatross

wikimedia Report

#24

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

wikipedia , needpix Report

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Tambot
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#25

Night Heron

Night Heron

taylar , 132033298@N04 Report

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A B C
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby Heron looks like he had a night out and tries to sneak in without his parents noticing

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#29

Flamingo

Flamingo

Pixabay , ekilby Report

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Rabbit Carrot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True story: they’re only pink because of canthaxanthin that they obtain from their diet of brine shrimp and blue-green algae.

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#30

Turkey

Turkey

wikimedia , publicdomainpictures Report

Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.