Yes, there are some birds that lay blue eggs. Don’t get surprised, blue is just one of the color variants that you can find in bird egg colors other than white. The eggs have a biliverdin pigment that makes the eggs blue in color. The color can range from, white, brown, green, and blue to beige.
So, let’s get to know about the birds that lay blue eggs and what is the significance of such a coloration.
11 Birds Laying Blue Eggs
Prepare to witness 11 birds that lay spectacular blue eggs in the wild.
1. Blue Jays
Blue Jays are known to be the noisiest birds and are found to be chirping constantly. You can find these birds in your backyard, laying eggs that are 1.3 inches long and 0.7 inches wide. The eggs are blue in color with little brown or grey spots. At the initial stage, they appear to be green and later change into blue.
The bird lays four to seven eggs and a maximum of two broods are seen each season. The females of Blue Jays guard the eggs from predators, like raptors, cats, snakes, crows, etc., and the male provides the food. The Blue Jays start nesting around February and the female lays eggs in March. It takes around 17 to 21 days for the eggs to hatch.
2. Gray Catbirds
Gray Catbirds are known for their cat-like sound and blue eggs. These birds lay around 6 eggs which are of turquoise green in colour with brown speckles. Their mating season starts in April and ends in August, after which they lay eggs that protect the inner yolk from sunlight and harmful UV rays.
The pigmentation on the eggs keeps them warm, and comfortable and looks stunning. The eggs are 0.6 inches in width and 1.0 inches in length. They breed 3 times a year and have an incubation period of 12 to 13 days.
3. American Robin
American Robin lays pale blue eggs and due to its distinct appearance, you can identify it from a distance. When the eggs are laid a green color coating covers them, which is known as bile pigment, later on, the color changes to blue, and thus the eggs appear to be blue-green.
You can easily spot these birds in urban and suburban areas and based on the pigment deposited on them, these eggs appear to be either dark or light blue in color. The color can vary from bold blue to icy bluish green to pale blue. Based on scientific evidence the dark blue colour protects the eggs from UV rays and also warms up the egg, allowing them to hatch faster.
4. Starlings
The European Starlings lay eggs of blue tone and are usually found nesting in urban or suburban areas. The tone of blue usually differs from one egg to another, from bold blue to pale blue and they are known to lay nine eggs at a time. Often, you might also see green eggs, which is indeed a pleasing sight. The eggs are 0.8 inches in size and have no external markings. They are glossy, small, and usually laid inside the holes of trees or old houses.
5. Red Winged Blackbirds
The eggs laid by Red Winged Blackbirds are greenish-blue in color and have brown markings on them. These birds have colored feathers and are found in and around North America. You can see them in flocks and choose to nest near a water source. They prefer to stay in a flock and have strong familial bonds. They lay eggs in cup-shaped nests and protect them until they hatch.
Often the eggs might also appear to be grey with black marks. They lay two to four eggs at a time and the outer shell is 12 cm and the inner shell is 7.6 cm. The eggs have a depth of 7.1 cm and the nesting phase is March and they lay the eggs around April.
6. House Finch
House Finch is quite common in North America and lays bluish-green eggs. These birds have redheads and are also known to be songbirds. They lay eggs near the ground level and protect them from predators, like squirrels and snakes. The eggs have a few black and lavender spots which makes them look stunning.
These birds try to avoid noisy environments and are often seen using the abandoned bird’s nest. The eggs are 0.6 inches in width and 0.8 inches in length and lay 2 to 6 eggs at a time. They brood thrice a year and the incubation period ranges from 13 to 14 days.
7. Dunnocks
Dunnocks look quite similar to house sparrows and the feathers also look similar. However, house sparrows lay white eggs but Dunnocks lay blue. They are also known as Hedge sparrows and nest on trees. The egg is 1.9 x 1.5 cm in size and is quite small in appearance. They lay 4 to 5 eggs at a time and look quite adorable.
If compared with other bird’s eggs, they stand apart due to their turquoise color. The eggs might often have spots and are laid in dense forests close to the ground. Its remarkable color makes it hard for predators to look for the eggs. The breeding season is around April and usually, the first brook is lost to the predators.
8. Blue Footed Booby
Blue Footed Booby are a rare species of sea bird that lays blue-coloured eggs. They have long necks and a sharp bill which makes them distinct from other birds. You would notice their blue webbed feet and blue eggs which are a rare sight. They lay three eggs at a time and the colours vary from green to pale blue.
The eggs take 45 days to hatch and are considered to be the longest hatching duration among birds. Both the male and female birds take part equally to incubate the eggs and after the eggs hatch the mother takes care of them and the father provides food.
9. Great Tinamou
Great Tinamou lay unique blue eggs which show a variation in color and shades. They are mostly found in South America and usually nest on the ground. The eggs are glossy and the colors range from dark blue to violet to dark brown.
Often, you can also see pink eggs and due to the color, they become easily visible. Thus, the birds try to camouflage the eggs by covering them with grass and leaves. The pigmentation on the eggs is due to nanostructure coloration and thus it gives a unique shade of blue.
10. Common Myna
Common Myna are known to imitate human speech very well. The eggs laid by Common Myna appear to be turquoise in color and often a bit greenish. They lay 2 to 5 eggs at a time and often you can also see brown spots on them. They prefer to nest in urban areas and breed twice a year.
11. Blue Gray Gnatcatcher
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher birds have small feathers and are also small in appearance found in North America. These birds are known for their long tail and blue eggs. These birds lay 5 eggs at a time and the color varies from pale blue to dark blue with brown and red marks on them. The eggs are 0.6 inches in size and quite small in appearance. The incubation period is 15 days and they are quite susceptible to predators.
Does Blue Color Protect the Egg More than White?
Yes, the color of the egg has a lot to do with protection and safety. If the blue eggs have dark pigmentation, then the eggs can stay warm inside, even during cold, and drain. Moreover, the pigment also protects the egg and keeps it warm during cold climates when the sunlight is quite low. Also, a dark color absorbs more light from the sun and protects the egg from the harmful radiation of the sun. The pigment also protects the thinner eggshell and during minor accidents, the egg doesn’t get affected easily.
Is There a Difference in Health Benefits Between Blue and White Eggs?
No, there is no difference in the health benefits of having blue and white eggs, but they are equally nutritionally beneficial because you do not consume the shell of the egg. The shell’s color varies due to the presence of certain pigments.
