Some birds are famous for laying eggs that are a striking shade of blue. This unique coloring is caused by pigments deposited on the eggshell during formation, giving the eggs their distinctive and often vivid appearance. The blue hue can range from pale, almost pastel tones to deeper, more vibrant shades.
Blue eggs often provide a subtle form of camouflage, blending with the nest environment or the sky to help protect them from predators. The color can also act as a signal of the health and vitality of the parent, with brighter eggs sometimes indicating a stronger, well-nourished individual.
These eggs are usually laid in carefully constructed nests, which may be built in trees, shrubs, or on the ground. The nests provide warmth and protection, and the eggs are incubated until they are ready to hatch, often with both parents taking turns in caring for them.
When the chicks hatch, they are typically small and helpless, relying entirely on their parents for food and protection. The distinctive blue eggs also help parents identify their own clutch, particularly in areas where multiple nests are close together, reducing confusion and the risk of feeding another bird’s offspring.
Birds That Lay Blue Eggs
American Robin
The most familiar blue egg in North America belongs to the American Robin. Its eggs are a stunning, unmarked “robin’s egg blue” and are often found in a well-built cup nest in trees, on ledges, or even on outdoor light fixtures.
Eastern Bluebird
As their name suggests, Eastern Bluebirds lay delicate, light blue eggs, which are occasionally white. These beautiful eggs are found in nest boxes or natural tree cavities, where the female builds a neat nest of grass and pine needles.
Starling
Although considered an invasive pest in North America, the European Starling lays eggs that are a striking pale, glossy blue, sometimes with subtle speckles. They are laid in a wide variety of cavities, from woodpecker holes to building vents.
Blackbird (Eurasian)
The Common Blackbird of Europe and Asia builds a neat, cup-shaped nest in shrubs and trees. Its eggs are a beautiful blue-green base color, typically covered in a profusion of fine reddish-brown speckles.
Dunnock
This common, unassuming little bird of European gardens and hedgerows lays a clutch of brilliant, bright blue eggs. The intense color provides a stunning contrast to the simple, well-hidden nest built low in a dense bush.
House Finch
Common across North America, the House Finch lays eggs that are a very pale blueish-white, decorated with fine black speckles and spots around the larger end. Their nests are often found in hanging plants or on building ledges.
Gray Catbird
A relative of mockingbirds and thrashers, the Gray Catbird lays eggs that are a deep, rich greenish-blue. They are not typically speckled and are laid in a well-concealed nest within a dense, shrubby thicket.
Magpie (Eurasian)
The large, domed nest of the Eurasian Magpie, made of sticks and mud, contains eggs that are a pale greenish-blue, heavily blotched with olive brown. The sheer size of the egg makes the color particularly noticeable.
Snowy Egret
Moving beyond songbirds, several wading birds also lay blue eggs. The Snowy Egret lays pale blue-green eggs in a platform nest made of sticks, often in a colony with other herons and egrets.
Emu
In a dramatic contrast of scale, the large, flightless Emu of Australia lays eggs that are a remarkable dark, granulated, blue-green color. The eggs are incredibly large and dark, resembling a giant avocado in both color and texture.
Blue Jay
Despite its own vibrant blue plumage, the Blue Jay lays surprisingly subtle eggs. They are typically a pale olive-brown or buff color with heavy brown speckles, but they can often have a distinct blue or greenish-blue base color that is visible beneath the markings.
Red-winged Blackbird
A common sight in marshes and wet fields, the Red-winged Blackbird constructs a well-woven, cup-shaped nest among cattails and reeds. The eggs are a pale blue, frequently adorned with scrawls, lines, and spots of black, brown, or purple.
Song Thrush
Widespread in Europe and Asia, the Song Thrush is famous for its beautiful, sky-blue eggs. They are often immaculate, but can sometimes feature a few tiny, black speckles. The female builds a neat, cup-shaped nest lined with mud and rotten wood.
Mistle Thrush
Larger than its Song Thrush relative, the Mistle Thrush also lays a clutch of beautiful eggs. They are a smooth, non-glossy cream or stone color, but are consistently and heavily spotted with a reddish-brown, often obscuring a pale blue or greenish underlying color.
Linnet
A small, sociable finch of Europe and Asia, the Linnet lays eggs that are a very pale blue, almost white. They are finely speckled with reddish-brown spots, which can sometimes form a ring or “cap” at the broader end of the egg.
Jackdaw
This highly intelligent, small corvid nests in cavities like chimneys, tree holes, and cliffs. Its eggs are a pale, glossy blue-green and are typically sparsely spotted or streaked with blackish-brown, though some can be almost immaculate.
Olive Sunbird
Tiny and energetic, the Olive Sunbird of Africa suspends its intricate, pear-shaped nest from a branch or under eaves. Inside, it lays a small clutch of eggs that are a plain, immaculate white, but which can often have a distinct greenish-blue tinge.
Osprey
This large fish-eating raptor builds massive stick nests on platforms, channel markers, and dead trees. Its eggs are a creamy white, but they are heavily blotched with rich reddish-brown, which often overlays a pale blue or green base color.
Common Myna
An adaptable and vocal bird native to Asia but introduced elsewhere, the Common Myna nests in cavities. Its eggs are a distinctive, vivid blue, typically without any markings, making them stand out in the dark confines of a tree hollow or building crevice.
Linnet (European)
A small, sociable finch of Europe and Asia, the Linnet lays eggs that are a very pale blue, almost white. They are finely speckled with reddish-brown spots, which can sometimes form a ring or “cap” at the broader end of the egg.
Cassin’s Finch
A bird of western North American mountain forests, Cassin’s Finch lays eggs that are a very pale greenish-blue. They are sparsely spotted with black, brown, and purple dots and squiggles, primarily concentrated at the larger end of the egg.