I don't understand the significance of 'speckled'. In the context, does it mean that the 'other' birds are solid colored and the speckled one is different? Maybe kind of like the ugly duckling which turns out to be a swan?

Point of interest: An immature bald eagle is speckled- it doesn't gain its distinctive white head and tail until it's around 4 or 5 years old.

Ebbie