While looking through my photo collection, I noticed that I have an unusually high proportion of photos of young birds and animals. The young of many species seem to be more curious and less careful than the adults, and thus are more likely to allow themselves to be photographed. Juvenile Curve-billed Thrashers (Toxostoma curvirostre) are some of the boldest around and seem almost eager to pose for photographs.

Unfortunately, these young birds are rather photogenically-challenged with awkward postures and ratty-looking plumage full of pinfeathers.

I have similarly gawky photographs of myself as a young teenager with bad hair and metal braces on my teeth, so I can definitely empathize with these funny-looking young birds!