22 Pictures of Super Cute Baby Birds You Need to See

So fluffy! Backyard birders and nature lovers share their heartwarming encounters and pictures of small, cute baby birds.

Juvenile chipping sparrow
Courtesy Connie Redinger

Baby Chipping Sparrow

Connie Redinger of Indiana, Pennsylvania, says, “A juvenile chipping sparrow was perched in my lilac tree and then took a short flight to my fence. It looked so proud sitting there, as if to say, ‘Thanks, Mom, I can fly!’ This cute baby bird was so tiny but so brave—all puffed up, enjoying life.” Check out adorable pictures of baby hummingbirds.

Fledgling Baltimore oriole
Courtesy Marybeth Zilnicki

Fledgling Oriole

Baltimore orioles built a nest on a tree branch above my porch,” says Marybeth Zilnicki of Riverhead, New York. “Once their eggs hatched, I enjoyed watching both parents feed and take care of the young. I was lucky to see this fledgling settle on my fence. I love how its feathers look and how my tree is reflected in its eye.” Learn how to identify baby orioles and juvenile orioles.

Gosling
COURTESY CHUCK DANFORD

Baby Gosling

“I found this adorable gosling at Lakewood’s Belmar Park, home to a large variety of birds and a favorite spot with walking trails, ponds and an abundance of wildlife,” says Chuck Danford of Littleton, Colorado. “I use photos like this to create watercolor paintings.” Psst—you’ll love these sweet spring bird photos.

Young American Kestrel
COURTESY DIANNE BRAUN

Young Kestrel

“When I first noticed this little one watching me, I thought it was a baby owl,” says Dianne Braun of Southport, North Carolina. “Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a young American kestrel. Because it wasn’t doing much flying, I had time to grab my camera for this shot. The kestrel was under a butterfly bush at our old house in Woodland, California.” Learn how to identify bird eggs by color and size.

Limpkin parent and young
COURTESY ROBERT BROOME

A Teachable Moment

Robert Broome of Winter Garden, Florida, says, “This limpkin parent was efficiently plucking clams from the lake bottom, bringing them to shore and breaking them open for a meal. An immature bird was close behind, eager to learn and mimicking every move.” Meet the best bird dads and learn how they help out around the nest.

American robin nest with baby birds
COURTESY DARYL BECK

Cute Baby Birds in Nest

“These American robins were waiting to be fed in early spring,” says Daryl Beck of Pleasant Hill, Missouri. “Their nest was on a farm tractor next to the gearshift, so I had to wait until they fledged to use the tractor.” Here’s what you should do if you find a bird nest.

Young mallard ducks
COURTESY RAVEN OUELLETTE

Adorable Ducklings

Raven Ouellette of Sudbury, Ontario, writes, “A mallard family took up residence in our neighborhood lake. One duckling exploring a grassy area nearby was so intrigued by a dandelion! It reminded me of the saying ‘Always take time to stop and smell the flowers!'” Check out 20 types of ducks to look for in spring.

Juvenile black phoebe
COURTESY JENNIFER MEYER

Fluffy Baby Bird

“My husband and I feed a pair of black phoebes,” says Jennifer Meyer of Mission Viejo, California. “They snatch mealworms right out of the air when we toss them. The birds brought their new brood, and this cute baby bird posed on a patio chair. The photo is special to us because of our relationship with these amazing fliers.” Learn how to attract nesting birds with birdhouses.

Young eastern bluebird
COURTESY LESLIE ABRAM

Young Eastern Bluebird

Leslie Abram of Codrington, Ontario, writes, “Finally, a young eastern bluebird! Along with our neighbors, we put out many nest boxes and have been planting wildlife gardens with native shrubs and trees to attract these beauties. It takes a village to raise a bluebird.” Learn how to make a DIY bluebird house.

Young American bitterns
COURTESY DOUGLAS BEALL

Baby Bitterns

Douglas Beall of Camp Sherman, Oregon, says, “American bitterns are often difficult to see, but when these young ones galumphed around the marsh, it gave me a prime opportunity to capture them in their typical pose of ‘I am just a reed.’ Bitterns will shift back and forth in sync with the marsh grasses swaying in the breeze. It’s a fascinating survival skill that makes them tricky to spot.” Check out the best plants to grow for nesting birds.

Young bluebirds at birdbath
COURTESY DEB FORSTER

Baby Bluebird Trio

“My husband and I turned our backyard into a haven for birds, bees and butterflies by planting flowers and trees that attract them,” says Deb Forster of Clayton, North Carolina. “We’ve also put up bird feeding stations, a birdbath with a bubble fountain and two bluebird houses. Our first pair of bluebirds moved in and produced a brood of babies. Last summer it was such a joy to watch another pair build a nest and care for their young. After their second brood left, three of the four young bluebirds eventually returned to the birdbath. I happened to be outside and got a photo of the siblings.”

Burrowing owl pair
Courtesy Mary-Ann Ingrao

Baby Burrowing Owls

Mary-Ann Ingrao of Angola, New York, says, “When I was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, it was so refreshing to watch these two young burrowing owls. In their eyes I see love and courage. A few moments before this shot, they were beak kissing.” Learn more about the unique nesting habits of burrowing owls.

Three baby birds in birdhouse
COURTESY MICHELE VERBICK

Peek-a-Boo Baby Birds

“One of my favorite things about summer is enjoying breakfast in the backyard while listening to birds, says Michele Verbick of McHenry, Illinois. “I watched these young nestlings beg for food in one of my many birdhouses. One or two poked their heads out on the lookout for food. I got into position with my camera and couldn’t believe it when all three cute baby birds peered out for a photo op at the same time.” Learn about different kinds of bird nests and how to spot them.

blue jay nest
Courtesy Lori Rajo

Baby Blue Jay

“This cute baby bird is on a schedule. This fluffy blue jay hops in and out of the nest, observing it’s surroundings. It is amazing to watch all the excitement right out my front door,” says Lori Rajo.

kildeer Albert Myran 001
Courtesy Albert Myran

Baby Killdeer

“This fluffy little bird is a baby killdeer. I captured the photo at Peaceful Valley Ranch in Theodore Roosevelt National Park – South Unit,” says Albert Myran.

common loon
Courtesy Dana Nelson

Common Loon Baby and Mom

“We were staying in a cabin and Lake Vermillion was our backyard. So we went out on the pontoon boat and caught this mother common loon carrying her baby on her back that was just a few days old. It made my week!” says Dana Nelson.

baby red bellied woodpecker
Courtesy Tanya Brooks

Baby Red-Bellied Woodpecker

“I’m so happy I got to take a picture of this baby red-bellied woodpecker .We have a family of them here, and it’s wonderful to watch,” says Tanya Brooks.

baby sandhill cranes
Courtesy Su Bradley

Sandhill Crane Family

“I spotted mama sandhill crane and her cute baby birds on my lawn in Port St Lucie, Florida. Our nonmigratory Florida sandhill cranes are a subspecies and they lay eggs through August,” says Su Bradley.

Bnbbyc17 Tim Gannon
Courtesy Tim Gannon

Baby Birds in Flowers

“We decided to stop by a place we had seen Canada geese in the past since I had my camera with me. We came across at least three pairs with adorable little goslings. Every once in a while you are in the right place at the right time,” says Tim Gannon.

baby mockingbird
Courtesy Anna Strickland

Baby Mockingbird

“We discovered this fluffy new member of our resident mockingbird family in our Alabama backyard. The parents diligently fed and watched over him while he matured a bit more and was able to use of his wings. It was a noisy a few days from the the worried parents who scolded anyone in the yard and the chick who seemed determined to announce his presence! We called him grumpy-bird,” says Anna Strickland.

baby mute swan
Courtesy Elisa Shaw

Sweet Cygnet

“This spring a pair of swans nested on a small lake about a mile from my house and hatched two cygnets. I spent quite a bit of time watching them and became enamored with the attentiveness and care that they took with each of the little ones,” says Elisa Shaw.

baby pileated woodpeckers
Courtesy Mary Gallo

Woodpecker Babies

“Springtime brings new cute baby birds. I was absolutely thrilled to find a mother pileated woodpecker and her three young at our local park in Maryland. Only two babies would peek out of the tree hole at a time and I was lucky to get this shot,” says Mary Gallo.

Julie Kuczynski
Julie has edited and written content for books, magazines and digital mediums for many years. She loves birdwatching and keeps a bird life list.