what bird lays blue eggs

The darker the egg, the better protected it will be against UV radiation, but, on the flip side, the quicker it will heat up and possibly cause the death of an unhatched chick.A lighter egg has less chance of overheating but is more exposed to UV radiation. For example, birds can change their egg color in a very short period of time.Mark Hauber explains, “With just two mutations, a Japa­nese Quail, which lays beige eggs with brown speckles, can start laying plain blue eggs.” The reality is the more we understand about birds, eggs, and how we and natural selection impacts them, the more ways we can deliver meaningful help for their opticbird.com is a participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which links to recommended products in order to provide revenue for site operation.7 White Birds In Florida & The Everglades Plus 5 OthersIs Birding Growing? Song thrush eggs are smooth and glossy,31 x 22mm large.

In some cases, the first egg never hatches. Yes, camouflage is probably the foremost reason for brownish and more earthy shades, but why blue?Read on to find out which birds lay blue eggs (hint: it’s not just You probably already know that bluebirds lay blue eggs.

Blue eggs are only a part of the beautiful egg color wheel birds are capable of. Eggs laid in areas sheltered from the sun will most likely have darker hues. Speckled eggs are just another form of camouflage. The herring gull prefers to lay eggs in sheltered ground or roof locations with minimal nest construction, though parent birds will line the nest site with weeds, grass, or seaweed. I’m sure there are others so leave a comment below if you can think of any other blue egg layers. A northern mockingbird’s nest uses an array of unusual materials, including sticks, stems, and bits of fabric or string. Their nests can be simple depressions lined with pebbles or twigs, and some even have no lining.

Bird eggs are as diverse as the birds themselves. I’m sure there are others so leave a comment below if you can think of any other blue egg layers. To determine the size of an egg, it’s helpful to compare it to another object. Lily rose April 25, 2020 at 4:46 pm - Reply. In other cases, the color helps the parents identify their eggs. Biliverdin is the molecule that produces the blue and green pigment in eggshells. There are a lot of hungry predators out there looking for a quick snack. Blue birds, robins, blackbirds, starlings, blue jays, thrushes, catbirds and dunnocks are some of the species of songbirds that lay solid blue eggs or blue eggs with brown speckles. The spots were thought to deter brood parasite birds.You know, those clever birds that lay their eggs inside other bird’s nest. Pigeons will build a loose platform of sticks, leaves, weeds, and grass in nearly any sheltered location, including gutters, building ledges, windowsills, abandoned boxes, and planters. Because they aren't in a deep nest, they are slightly pointed to minimize rolling. The nests are usually constructed out of mud, with no grass lining. The eggs can vary from a gray or brown hue to a faint blue or green; they are marked with brown, lavender, or black streaks and spots. She is also a history buff, praise and worship pianist, pet enthusiast, avid crafter and hobby gardener.

Eggs of hole-nesting birds are generally white or pale blue so that the parent birds can easily locate them and avoid breaking them. Because of the connection between eggshell color and UV radiation and heat buildup, For example, birds that lay their eggs in an exposed area will likely have lighter-colored eggshells. Also, about 4-5% of bluebirds actually lay white eggs! 25-28mm long. Starlings also lay blue eggs, but you will be able to easily see the difference because they are bigger than bluebird eggs. Mother nature can be a real show-off, right?Of course, these patterns aren’t just for camouflage, they also strengthen the eggshell and make it possible to identify any brood parasites. It simply makes a predator egg thief’s job more difficult and the eggs chances of survival greater.An interesting study out of The University Oxford by Andrew Gosler, Oliver R. Connor, and Richard Bonser suggest speckles and spots are there for a totally different/additional reason.In fact, they suggest the main reason for blotches actually serve a non-visual function. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. The pigmentation compensates for any calcium deficiency and helps harden especially the inner parts of the egg.

Although those in North America like the Eastern, Mountain, and Western Bluebird lay pale blue to white eggs, you’re not likely to discover these eggs quickly.They’re cavity nesters and will very rarely lay their eggs outside of a cavity – except when desperate. Remember those clever birds too lazy to build a nest or raise their young? Parent birds will often feign injuries to draw predators away from a nearby nest with its light-colored eggs that have black and brown splotches. Birds that lay their eggs in the open and on the ground rely on camouflage so usually produce brown or speckled eggs. The more plain and noticeable eggs, in contrast, will be carefully guarded and watched by parents and thus have less need for camouflage. There’s no need to touch the egg or disturb the nest.Look at the size, shape, color, markings, and finish of the eggs to guide you in the direction of the species of bird in question.Also, small birds lay small eggs, while large birds will lay larger eggs.