What Birds Lay Blue Eggs?: Top 10 Revealed

In this article, we will be letting you, our beloved readers, know what birds lay blue eggs (the top 10 even). We will also state what is responsible for this blue egg colouration.

Sometimes the colour might range from a greenish-blue, or a paler blue and everything in between. Provided below are the top 1o birds that lay blue eggs.

 

Why Do Birds Lay Blue Eggs?

Research indicates that birds produce blue-coloured eggs as an adaptive strategy to safeguard their eggs against the potentially detrimental impact of sunlight.

The blue colouration observed in certain birds’ eggs can be attributed to the presence of a bile pigment called biliverdin.

The deposition of this pigment occurs during the eggshell formation process in the shell gland. The color of an egg is determined by the concentration of biliverdin deposited.

A higher concentration of biliverdin results in a bluer egg, while a lower concentration leads to a less blue egg.

 

Read also: How To Keep Birds Out Of Your Carport

 

What Birds Lay Blue Eggs?

1. House Finch:

House finches are avian species characterized by their brown plumage, accompanied by wings of a grayish hue, and possessing conical bills.

Male house finches in their adult stage generally exhibit red feathers on their face and upper breast. The species is indigenous to the western regions of North America and is distributed across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

House finches typically lay a clutch of four to five eggs during the spring and summer seasons. The eggs of this species exhibit a pale bluish-green colouration and occasionally display faint lavender or black patterns.

The eggs of house finches are relatively small, measuring approximately half an inch in width. The eggs are subjected to incubation for a period of 13 to 14 days.

2. Dunnocks:

Dunnocks are avian species characterized by their modest size, displaying a colouration primarily composed of brown and grey tones, accentuated by short black streaks adorning their plumage.

These animals are indigenous to certain regions of Eurasia and are presently found in various European and North African nations, such as the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Croatia, and Bulgaria.

These birds, commonly referred to as “hedge sparrows,” exhibit a reserved and reticent nature, often displaying a preference for solitude and maintaining a low vocal presence.

Dunnock females typically lay a clutch of four to five eggs, which have a glossy blue appearance. The eggs of these birds exhibit infrequent speckling and possess a vibrant blue colouration.

The eggs of dunnocks are relatively small, measuring approximately 0.6 inches in width. The incubation period for eggs in female dunnocks lasts approximately 12 to 13 days.

3. American Robins:

American robins can be observed in various regions across the United States. Certain individuals choose to migrate to South America for the purpose of reproduction, whereas others opt to reproduce in their current location.

Robins exhibit dark grey wings and possess orange chests.

The American robin typically deposits a clutch of three to five eggs, which are light blue in color. The width of these eggs is 0.8 inches.

Male robins exhibit increased paternal behaviour and assume greater parental responsibilities when the eggs possess a higher level of brightness. The incubation period for American robins is typically 12 to 14 days.

4. Blue-Footed Booby:

The blue-footed booby is widely recognized as a highly popular avian species. The reason for their distinctive blue, webbed feet is due to the presence of carotenoid pigments acquired from their consumption of fresh fish.

Male individuals utilize their vivid blue feet as a means to attract potential partners. The blue-footed booby is primarily distributed along the coast of Central and South America, spanning from Mexico to Peru.

The eggs laid by the blue-footed booby have a light blue colouration, and these birds construct their nests at ground level.

The birds deposit a total of two to three eggs in each group, and it takes approximately 45 days for the eggs to hatch. Both male and female boobies utilize their feet to incubate their eggs.

 

Read also: How To Keep Birds Out Of Your Barn

 

5. Black Tinamous:

Black tinamous are robust birds that live on the ground. Despite its name, this avian species is actually coloured slate grey rather than black.

Females exhibit a greater size compared to males. These animals are indigenous to the Andes region in South America and are commonly observed in Colombia.

Black tinamous construct their nests at ground level. From March to November, these birds produce shiny, vivid blue eggs. The black tinamou has been officially recorded to lay only two eggs.

6. Gray Catbird:

The gray catbird is given its name due to its distinct vocalization, which closely resembles the meowing sound produced by domestic cats.

The geographical location of these entities is in North and Central America, specifically within the United States, Mexico, and certain regions of the Caribbean islands.

The eggs laid by gray catbirds are characterized by a vibrant turquoise green color and are adorned with red speckles. The birds typically deposit a clutch of one to six eggs, typically producing two broods per breeding season.

The dimensions of these eggs are approximately 0.5 inches in width and 1 inch in length. The avian species engage in incubation of their eggs for a duration of 12 to 15 days.

7. Snowy Egret:

Snowy egrets are a species of small herons that are predominantly white in colour. The birds exhibit a pure white colouration, accompanied by black legs, bills, and yellow feet.

These organisms are distributed across various countries, including the United States, Canada, the West Indies, and Argentina.

Snowy egrets typically deposit a clutch of two to six eggs with a greenish-blue hue. These eggs possess dimensions ranging from 0.9 to 1.3 inches in width and 1.6 to 1.7 inches in length.

The incubation period for their eggs lasts approximately 24 to 25 days before hatching occurs.

8. Linnet:

Linnets are avian creatures characterized by their slender physique and plumage that consists of various shades of brown, white, and grey.

Male individuals exhibit distinctive redhead patches and red breasts, whereas females and juveniles lack these characteristics. Linnets are distributed across various countries, including Scotland, China, Italy, and Greece.

Linnets typically deposit a clutch of four to six eggs during the period from April to July. These eggs are characterized by their speckled blue appearance. The eggs undergo a 14-day incubation period.

9. Trushes:

Thrushes are a taxonomic group of avian species that belong to the order Passeriformes, commonly known as perching birds. These avian creatures possess compact physiques, ranging from small to medium in size.

Thrushes commonly inhabit forested areas, with the majority of species constructing their nests on tree branches.

The majority of thrushes exhibit a colouration that is predominantly grey or brown, accompanied by feathers on their undersides that are adorned with speckles.

The eggs of thrushes exhibit a light blue or bluish-green colouration and are adorned with small dark spots, typically concentrated towards the larger end of the egg.

The colour and pattern of plumage differ among different species of thrush. Certain species lack markings on their eggs.

Thrushes typically deposit a clutch of approximately two to six eggs within a single breeding season, occasionally even producing two broods.

10. Common Myna:

The common myna, which originates from Asia, is classified as an invasive species within India. These birds possess dark-coloured heads, and brown-coloured bodies, and exhibit two distinct yellow patches on their facial region.

The beaks and legs of these birds are yellow as well. These creatures possess the ability to imitate avian vocalisations and can acquire a vocabulary of up to one hundred words.

The common myna species typically deposits a clutch of four to six eggs, which exhibit a striking turquoise or blue-green colouration. The eggs undergo incubation for a duration of approximately 17 to 18 days.

 

Read also: 13 Birds That Eat Snakes in 2023

 

Conclusion

Now that you know what birds lay blue eggs, it would interest you to know that birds have developed the ability to lay blue eggs as an evolutionary adaptation, which serves the purpose of safeguarding their eggs against the potentially detrimental impact of sunlight.

Research has demonstrated the capacity of biliverdin to perform this action. In regions characterized by limited sunlight, avian species tend to deposit eggs that are predominantly white in colour, as opposed to eggs with a blue hue.

The colour of an egg is influenced by the concentration of biliverdin deposited. A higher concentration of biliverdin results in a bluer egg, while a lower concentration leads to a less blue egg.

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