Is baby Nelson the ugliest bird in the world?

When the baby Kea parrot named Nelson was born at Bergzoo, Halle, Germany last week he quickly became a contender for the ugliest bird in the world.

His is a face that only a mother could love. But featherless youngster can find comfort in the fact that one day he will grow up to be an attractive Kea parrot.

Nelson, who has been described as looking like a cross between an alien and a roasted chicken.

He was the only one out of three eggs laid by his mother to survive and hatch. Unfortunately, he was then promptly rejected by his parents.

As such the youngster is now being cared for around the clock by staff and spent the first four weeks of his life in an incubator.

Keas are large parrots native to the alpine regions of New Zealand that are known for their intelligence and curiosity. Adults are mostly olive-green with a brilliant orange flash under their wings.