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Again and again one finds bird eggs in the garden or in the wild. Above all, particularly conspicuous eggs arouse interest in wanting to know the associated bird species - but which bird actually lays blue eggs?

In a nutshell

  • Bird eggs of several species can take on blue tints
  • Identification of the species: in addition to color, numerous other framework conditions relating to the clutch
  • depending on the environmental conditions: colorations vary significantly depending on the bird species

Blue Eggs - Who Was It?

Blue-colored bird eggs are distinctive, so that we humans can recognize them from afar. One would think that such a concise coloring would be particularly easy to assign. However, this task is made more difficult by the fact that even with this unusual color scheme, there are different characteristics. This can be assigned to different birds:

eggs the blackbird (Turdus merula)

Common among the producers of blue bird eggs is the blackbird, also known as the blackbird. It is not unlikely that blue eggs often belong to this species of bird.

On the left you see the eggs of a blackbird and on the right a blackbird.
  • Ovate shape: oval to short-oval
  • Colouring: green-blue with turquoise, surface with a matt sheen and some dark patches or dots
  • Clutches: usually 4 - 5, more rarely 3 - 6 eggs
  • Locations: preferred in dense hedges, shrubs and trees
  • rarely ground level in inhabited areas
  • Breeding season: March - July

bird eggs des bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

The bullfinch or bullfinch is one of the finches and has quite a variety of egg colors, which are often pale, almost white, but extend to strong blue colors.

Left: its light blue/teal eggs with brown speckles, Right: the bullfinch itself
  • Egg shape: oval
  • Colouration: basic color light blue to blue-green, rarely dull bluish, towards the blunt end: deep brown/black spots
  • Clutch: usually 4 - 6 eggs
  • Locations: coniferous forests, sparse mixed forests, woodland edges
  • Breeding season: May - July

eggs of Redstart (Phoenicurus Phoenicurus)

The redstart may have a different name, but it still lays blue eggs.

  • Egg shape: oval
  • Colouring: homogeneous greenish-blue to turquoise
  • usually dull to slightly shiny, but rarely also reddish-brown spots on the blunt pole
  • Clutches: usually 6 - 7, rarely 3 - 9 eggs
  • Locations: tree hollows/branch forks in sparse mixed and deciduous forests, forest edges, clearings
  • Breeding season: late April - July
Left: Redstart, Right: Tauridae

bird eggs des pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)

The pied flycatcher gives birth to its offspring in our native mixed forests, although it only stops here occasionally as a migratory bird. Due to nest locations in tree cavities, blue eggs of this bird species are very rarely found as it is a cavity breeder.

  • Ovate shape: oval to short-oval
  • Coloration: homogeneously light blue to blue-greenish, rarely very light to almost white
  • Clutch: usually 5 - 8 eggs
  • Locations: tree cavities, nest boxes
  • Breeding season: May - June
Where does the blue color of bird eggs come from?

The coloring of bird eggs is primarily due to two different pigments. One stains blue while the other stains red to brown. Depending on the presence and intensity of the individual pigments, a blue, green-blue or completely different coloration can occur. The color of a bird, its head, plumage or beak has nothing to do with the color of its eggs.

Why do birds lay blue-colored eggs?

The coloring of the eggs has two main functions. On the one hand camouflage should take place, on the other hand the adult birds should be able to find their eggs again. In the case of blue colorations, finding the eggs should play an important role.

Are there birds that only occasionally develop blue clutches?

As a parasite, the cuckoo is able to adapt its egg color to the colors of the host clutch. Each cuckoo female develops an individual egg color, including blue, depending on the nest she is rearing, which she retains throughout her life.

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Animals in the garden