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 Peacock

Image credits: piqsels

#2 Cardinal

Image credits: pixabay

#3 Nighthawk

Image credits: milkyfactory

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.

#4 Tuffted Puffin

Image credits: wikipedia

#5 Goffin’s Cockatoo

Image credits: robandstephanielevy

#6 Barn Owl

#7 Tit

Image credits: wikimedia

#8 Chicken

Image credits: pxhere

#9 Chaffinch

Image credits: maxpixels

#10 Peregrine Falcon

Image credits: Patrick Cashin

#11 Mississippi Kite

Image credits: Andy Reago

#12 Turkey

Image credits: wikimedia

#13 Grey Headed Albatross

Image credits: wikimedia

#14 Pigeon

Image credits: leena

#15 Pileated Woodpecker

Image credits: theowlshowofficial

#16 Toco Toucan

Image credits: Wikimedia

#17 Gannet

Image credits: flickr

#18 Raven

Image credits: wikipedia

#19 Hummingbird

Image credits: Wikimedia

#20 Swan

Image credits: Chris Isherwood

#21 Crane Bird

Image credits: goodfreephotos

#22 Night Heron

Image credits: taylar

#23 Dunlin

Image credits: pixnio

#24 Bleeding-Heart Pidgoen

Image credits: wikimedia

#25 Kiwi

Image credits: wikimedia

#26 Mallard Duck

Image credits: pixabay

#27 Shoebill Stork

Image credits: nationalgeographic

#28 Stork

Image credits: Susan Young

#29 Flamingo

Image credits: Pixabay

#30 Gentoo Penguin

Image credits: wikimedia

#31 Kea

Image credits: wikipedia

#32 Red-Winged Blackbird

Image credits: jdowns66

#33 Golden Pheasant

Image credits: needpix

#34 Barn Swallow

Image credits: wikimedia

#35 Dove

Image credits: needpix

#36 House Sparrow

Image credits: stignygaard

#37 Chinese Bamboo Partridge

Image credits: monchan

#38 Black-Winged Stilt

Image credits: conifer

#39 Subalpine Warbler

Image credits: 44296132@N06

#40 Goose

Image credits: publicdomainpictures

#41 Seagull

Image credits: pazzani

#42 American White Pelican

Image credits: Wikipedia

#43 Red-Tailed Hawk

Image credits: wikipedia

#44 Andean Condor

Image credits: pixabay

#45 Bald Eagle

Image credits: wikipedia

#46 Ostrich

Image credits: pixabay

#47 Robin Bird

Image credits: pixabay

#48 Blue Jay

Image credits: dfaulder

#49 Red Wattled Lapwing

Image credits: rathikaramasamy

#50 Red-Vented Bulbul

Image credits: yimhafiz

#51 Gyrfalcon

Image credits: needpix

#52 White Tern

Image credits: goodfreephotos

#53 Killdeer

Image credits: usfwsmtnprairie

#54 Oriole

Image credits: wikimedia

#55 Caique

Image credits: flickr

#56 Turkey Vulture

Image credits: wikipedia

#57 Grey Parrot

Image credits: wikipedia

#58 Magpie

Image credits: wikimedia

#59 Merle

Image credits: pexels