It’s interesting to find egg shells when you are out and about. The various forms of egg shells differ in size, color, and even shape. Bird eggs are similar to eggs from other animals.
They have egg white, also called albumen, and a yolk. The egg yolk color ranges from yellow to dark orange for all the birds.
Eggs have characteristics related to the birds who lay them; hence, bird eggshell identification tells us which bird the egg belongs to.
If you also experience such questions, use the bird egg identification chart below to identify which birds the egg comes from.
Garden Bird Eggs Identification Chart
Garden birds build their nests on trees and have a blue or greenish color. While other eggs from hole-nesting birds may be white or pale blue, so they are easily visible to the parent bird.
Egg camouflage is not crucial for garden birds as their eggs are usually well-protected with leaves within the nest.
| Bird | Egg Identification |
|---|---|
| Blackbird | > Egg size 2.9 x 2.1 cm > Blue/green color > Brown speckles |
| Blue tit | > Egg size 1.6 x 1.2cm > Light cream color > Brown spots |
| Goldfinch | > Egg size 1.7 x 1.3 cm > Whitish color > Reddish-brown spots |
Wild Bird Egg Identification.
When you are out and about in the wild, you may be tempted to explore the nests and the eggs you find. It’s illegal to disturb an active nest as this may cause the distressed parent to flee the nest leaving the chicks to die.
Identifying birds’ nests and eggs can help you understand the different types of species found in the wild. Pick up a bird guide with pictures, and you will be ecstatic to see how much fun you will have.
| Bird | Egg Identification |
|---|---|
| Northern Cardinal | > Egg size 0.9 x 0.8 inches > Blue/pink color > Matte > Brown spots |
| Blue Jay | > Egg size 1.1 x 0.9 inches > Blue/pink color > Brown spots |
| Mourning Dove | > Egg size 1.2 x 0.9 inches > White color > Smooth |
| American Robin | > Egg size 1.2 x 0.8 inches > Blue/green color > Smooth and glossy |
| House Finch | > Egg size 0.8 x 0. 6 inches > Black to pale purple spots > Blue/white color |
North American Bird Egg Identification
North America covers a large area home to nearly 900 species of birds. Living in an environment surrounded by exotic species of birds comes with great responsibility.
If you find an egg, you shouldn’t try to touch it, as taking possession of a wild bird’s egg is illegal. To know more about North American bird eggs, consult the bird egg identification chart below.
| Birds | Egg Identification |
|---|---|
| Robin | > Egg size 2 x 1.5 cm > Blue color > Light brown spots |
| Magpie | > Egg size 3.2 x 2.3 cm > Green-blue color > Brown spots |
| Starling | > Egg 2.1 x 3 cm > Pale blue |
| Collared Dove | > Egg size 3.1 x 2.4 cm > White/cream color |
| Jackdaw | > Egg size 3.6 x 2.6 cm > White/pale blue > Grey/brown spots |
Australian Birds Egg Identification
Australia has a broad diversification of birdlife with variations in the size, color, and shape of eggs. The largest bird in Australia is the Southern Cassowary which lays the largest egg, 138m long and 95mm wide.
Most patterns and colors are observed in the eggs laid by Australian birds. Some oncologists believe that the color patterns are due to evolutionary causes .
If you live in Australia, you may often come across bird eggs. Our table below can help you identify which bird the egg belongs to.
| Birds | Egg Identification |
|---|---|
| Comb-crested Jacana | > Egg size 3.5 cm > Brown color > Dark brown/Black markings |
| Weebil | > Egg size 15 x 11 mm > Creamy/buff color > textured |
| Victoria’s riflebird | > Egg size 3.3 cm > Streaky patterns |
| Banded stilt | > Egg size 5.5 cm > White color > Streaky black patterns |
| Glossy ibis | > Egg size 4.9 cm > Blue-green |
British Wild Bird Eggs Identification
There are over 600 species of bird found in britain, the most common of which is sterling. If you are on a backyard bird egg identification you may notice the amazing show starlings put up.
They gather in large groups and dance around in sky making interesting patterns. Many british birdsare also famous for storing food for winter like many animals.
You will be surprised to know that all the swans in UK belongs to the queen. The royal family feasts on swans so they dont let anyone else capture them.
If you are a bird lover and want to know more about British birds and their eggs, consult the table below.
| Bird | Egg Identification |
|---|---|
| Carrion crow | > Egg size 43 x 30 mm > Blue-green color > Dark brown / grey streaks |
| House martin | > Egg size 19 x 13.3 mm > White color > Glossy |
| House sparrow | > Egg size 22 x 16 mm > White color > Black / gray spots |
| Lapwing | > Egg size 71 x 49 mm > Brown-grey color > Black splotches |
| Linnet | > Egg size 18 x 13 mm > Pale blue color > Brown / purple dots |
Wild Duck Eggs Identification
Ducks are beautiful birds; some ducks can lay more eggs than chickens, and the size is slightly bigger than chicken eggs. Ducks mainly lay their eggs early morning, but some may behave otherwise.
The number of eggs they produce is influenced by how well they are fed and cared for. Ducks are social; they can feel emotions such as happiness, loneliness, and boredom, which can frustrate them and affect their egg production.
Parks often reserve small ponds for ducks to attract visitors. You can visit with your kids and be mesmerized by duck nests and eggs. Please look at the table below for the duck and their egg identification.
| Birds | Egg Identification |
|---|---|
| Indian runner duck | > Green/Blue > Egg length 20 to 26 inches |
| Muscovy | > White color > Greenish tint color > Egg size 59.6 to 66.4 mm |
| Mallard | > Egg size 2.5 x 1.8 inches > White/Green color |
| Cayuga | > Light grey/dark grey or black spot > Color fades to white color in late season > Egg length 62 mm |
Sea Bird Egg Identification.
Sea is a habitat for many species of birds that live primarily in the ocean. Sea birds often come to grassy lands or cliffs to breed, so you may find a sea bird’s nest if you like to explore the beach.
Sea is also a great place to bird watch, so if you plan to have a beach trip soon, take a printout of the table below to find out which birds the eggs belong to.
| Birds | Egg Identification |
|---|---|
| Razorbill | > Egg size 73 x 47 mm > White color > Black spots |
| Pied avocet | > Egg size 50 x 35 mm > Grey-light brown color > Black spots |
| Oystercatcher | > Egg size 57 x 41 mm > Grey-light brown color > Black spots |
| Northern lapwing | > Egg size 47 x 33 mm > Brown color > Black spot |
| Black-legged kittiwake | > Egg size 55 x 40 mm > Cream-brown > Grey/brown spots |
Conclusion
If we see an egg resting in its egg, it is our responsibility to let it be and not temper it. If you tamper with the egg, you may disturb the food chain and a potential life of an endangered species.
Have a look at our bird egg identification charts, make your bird watching activity more interesting and fun.