Who's
a Baby?
Looking
for Clues
This
is a young (juvenile robin). What clued us in? Read below!
- The
fluffy, speckled breast.
This turns orange-red when the downy feathers are pushed out by grownup
feathers. In just a few more weeks, this baby will have those bright
new feathers. It will look like an adult by its first fall migration.
- The
soft, wide, bright orange beak.
In a few weeks, the corners of the beak (called the "gape")
will narrow and harden.
Think! Why do you think a baby robin has a beak that can open so wide? Why do you think it has a bright orange mouth?
- It seems to be begging for food. How do we know it's not singing? Males don't sing until they're older (breeding age); females don't sing at all.
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