Ugly baby kea rejected by its mother

The baby kea who is in the running for the title of 'The Ugliest Bird in the World', will eventually grow into the more attractive type of kea seen in New Zealand's wild. Photo / Thinkstock

A baby kea born in Germany is so ugly that even his mother doesn't want him.

Described as a "cross between an alien and a roast chicken", Nelson was born in Bergzoo in Germany last month, the Daily Mail reported.

The only survivor of three chicks, Nelson pulled through only to face immediate rejection by his parents.

He has since spent the first four weeks of his life in an incubator being cared for by zoo staff.

While media around the world questions whether the bald chick might be in the running for world's ugliest bird, being hideous is just a means to an end for young Nelson as he can look forward to growing into a handsome green adult kea.

Native to New Zealand, keas are renowned for their curiosity and appetite for rubber.

They live mainly in alpine regions in the South Island, where they are a protected species.