I think the cockatiel is the ugliest. But you should have included wild baby Kildeer. They hit the ground running and are extremely cute even when first hatched.
the cockateil wins - totally, the finches are actually cute with the fluffy heads.
April 03, 2011
Anonymous said...
OMG, it's Watto from Star Wars: Episode 1! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CNrFB73ggOU/St62DcOkB1I/AAAAAAAABAQ/u4wNtJobtmg/s1600-h/wside1.JPG
April 06, 2011
Anonymous said...
Yes, I guess the cockatiel wins, with what looks like little buck teeth and grass growing out of his back...but still a cute, helpless baby. Most baby birds are still embryonic when hatched. Even a human baby born very early...say at 22-24 weeks, is more developed than these (full-term) baby birdies. I'd say they are equivalent to a 12 week human fetus, at least in external development.
June 28, 2011
Let's compare some baby birds found in the wild to their domesticated counterparts. First up is a set of Western scrub-jays, native to western North America, in their natural habitat. This is how I typically imagine baby birds: giant, gaping beaks, skin stretched tightly over bulbous eyes, optional pinhole eye openings, scrawny necks, and transparent skin. [Image]Photo source: the Register-Guard
Also in our wild lineup are some baby finches sporting crinkly yellow beaks and dubious tufts of down: [Image]Photo source: Boing Boing
Now for the creatures we have invited into our own homes. Eastern Rosella parrots are prized for their brightly colored plumage, of which they give no hint early in life: [Image]Photo source: http://www.parrot-bird.com/ Top honors, however, may belong to baby cockatiels, native to Australia but now common household pets throughout the world. Cockatiels are the second most popular companion parrot species (after budgies) and are known for their gentle and sociable natures. This outstanding specimen has been photographed mid-poop: [Image]Photo uploaded by user tamaralynn24
Observe the veiny skull, sealed eyes, wrinkly neck and leg, full crop, arthritic-looking claws, and Chia pet-style down. This is truly the stuff of which dream pets are made.So who wins the ugliness contest: baby birds in the wild or baby birds at home? Cast your vote in the comments!
posted by Flehmen Response at 9:26 AM on Apr 2, 2011
7 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formIt has to be a tie - they are all ugly!!!
April 02, 2011
I think the cockatiel is the ugliest. But you should have included wild baby Kildeer. They hit the ground running and are extremely cute even when first hatched.
April 02, 2011
I'm going to have nightmares of encountering that baby cockatiel, only, this time it will be in a dark alleyway, and it'll be seven feet tall.
April 02, 2011
Oh man, that baby cockatiel wins hands-down for UGLIEST EVER. The poop is just the icing on the ugly cake.
April 03, 2011
the cockateil wins - totally, the finches are actually cute with the fluffy heads.
April 03, 2011
OMG, it's Watto from Star Wars: Episode 1!
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CNrFB73ggOU/St62DcOkB1I/AAAAAAAABAQ/u4wNtJobtmg/s1600-h/wside1.JPG
April 06, 2011
Yes, I guess the cockatiel wins, with what looks like little buck teeth and grass growing out of his back...but still a cute, helpless baby. Most baby birds are still embryonic when hatched. Even a human baby born very early...say at 22-24 weeks, is more developed than these (full-term) baby birdies. I'd say they are equivalent to a 12 week human fetus, at least in external development.
June 28, 2011