Only a Mother Could Love?

Most of the juveniles I observe here at Cary BirdCam are cute little devils. I think almost anyone would agree who has seen a young Robin, or Cardinal, or Downy. But we have one species of juvenile that is definitely an "ugly duckling". That would be the Red Bellied Woodpecker. The poor things look like buzzards on their first go, then somewhat later, like albino versions of the adults (the juveniles don't develop the red coloration on their heads right away.) Only as adults do they achieve their finest feathers. However, I am not repulsed, and enjoy seeing these birds grow up before my eyes. Provided they don't beat my gutters to death with their infernal hammering every spring, they're welcome from cradle to grave. I'll look forward to seeing next year's awkward looking Reb Bellieds. It won't be a good spring without them.