Introduction
During late spring and early summer, you occasionally come across eggshells and may wonder what species of bird they are from and why they are there. Many birds will remove eggshells from their nests once the nestlings are hatched to avoid attracting predators to the nest site.
In this article, we cover some of the most common birds and nests to help you identify eggshells if you find them in your garden or when out in the countryside. Please remember, though, not to disturb any birds while they are nesting; it’s not only unkind, but in many countries, it’s also illegal to take their eggs.
A Little Info About Eggs
Bird eggs are made up of approximately 95% calcium carbonate, with the rest consisting of other organic elements. Notably, the overall look of an egg depends on the bird’s environment.
Birds that nest on the ground, in trees, and shrubs need to camouflage their eggs to blend in with the foliage and hide them from predators. Many of these birds are also targeted by brood parasites such as the common cuckoo. If this is the case, they typically add variable patterning onto their eggs so that they can differentiate them from any parasite eggs. On the other hand, birds that nest in cavities neither need to camouflage their eggs nor add patterning to protect from predators, so their eggs tend to be plain in color.
European Robin
Species: European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Family: Muscicapidae
The European Robin is one of the most iconic birds in the UK and a beloved public favorite. Although they are often associated with wintertime, particularly because of their appearance on Christmas cards, they are residents year-round.
Egg Measurements: 20x15mm
Clutch Size: 4-5 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 2
European robin eggs are generally characterized by their creamy white or pale blue coloration, often adorned with speckles that range from light brown to reddish-brown. The intensity and distribution of these speckles can vary, with some eggs displaying a higher concentration of speckles at the larger end.
Eurasian Blackbird
Species: Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus Merula)
Family: Turdidae
The Eurasian Blackbird is one of the most common and recognizable birds. It is especially abundant in gardens but can also be found in various habitats, avoiding only the highest altitudes. This species often forages on the ground, where it can be seen turning over leaf litter, probing the soil for food, or visiting flat feeders such as bird tables.
Egg Measurements: 29x21mm
Clutch Size: 3-4 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 2
Eurasian Blackbird eggs are usually pale blue or blue-green and feature reddish-brown speckles. These speckles can give the eggs an overall brownish appearance.
CoMMON Chaffinch
Species: Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Family: Fringillidae
Chaffinches can be found in the UK throughout the year. The male chaffinch has an attractive plumage featuring pink, chestnut, and blue-grey colors, along with bright white wing bars. The female, while less colorful, is equally appealing. These birds are frequently observed at garden bird feeders.
Egg Measurements: 19x15mm
Clutch Size: 4-5 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 1
Chaffinch eggs are usually pale blue or greenish-blue, featuring reddish-brown spots, blotches, or streaks. They have a smooth, slightly glossy surface and range in color from pale blue to light red.
Eurasian Blue Tit
Species: Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Family: Paridae
The Eurasian Blue Tit is one of the most entertaining birds to observe, as they are highly acrobatic and agile while searching for food. As one of the smaller members of the tit family, the Blue Tit boasts beautiful coloring, including a yellow breast, white face, and bright blue cap on its head, along with blue and green wings.
Egg Measurements: 16x12mm
Clutch Size: 8-10eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 1
Description: Blue tit eggs are usually pale cream or white, with reddish-brown speckles. They are relatively small compared to most of the other birds in our lineup.
Great Tit
Species: Great Tit (Parus major)
Family: Paridae
The Great Tit is a common visitor in gardens, making it one of the most familiar resident birds. It is easily recognizable due to its size, as it is the largest member of the tit family, approximately the same size as the European Robin. These colorful birds have green and yellow plumage, a black cap on their heads, and a distinctive black line running down their chests. They also feature white cheek patches. Males are generally a brighter yellow than females.
Egg Measurements: 18x14mm
Clutch Size: 7-9eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 1
Great Tit eggs are usually white with reddish-brown speckles. They are smooth and glossy, laid in a cup-shaped nest lined with materials such as moss, grass, hair, and feathers.
Dunnock
Species: Dunnock (Prunella modularis)
Family: Prunellidae
The Dunnock, commonly referred to as the hedge sparrow, is a small bird with streaks of brown and grey, roughly the size of a robin. It features a grey breast and head, along with a thin, pointed bill. Known for its shy nature, this ground-feeding bird is often found in gardens and hedgerows.
Egg Measurements: 19x14mm
Clutch Size: 4-5eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 2
Dunnock eggs are a vivid blue color, sometimes featuring reddish or brown speckles, but they are usually unmarked. The eggs are small, measuring approximately 19mm in length, and are laid in clutches of 3 to 5 eggs.
Siskin
Species: Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus)
Family: Fringillidae
The Eurasian Siskin is a charming little finch, even smaller than a greenfinch! It features a cute forked tail and a narrow bill. Males are particularly bright, showcasing sunny yellow breasts and cheeks, topped off with a stylish black cap. In contrast, females have a softer appearance with pale feathers, earthy dark streaks, and hints of dull yellow.Both males and females have wings beautifully striped in yellow and black, making them a delight to observe.
Egg Measurements: 16x12mm
Clutch Size: 4-5eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 2
Siskin eggs are usually pale blue or white, with reddish-brown or lilac speckles. They are relatively small, measuring about 16 mm in length.
Goldfinch
Species: Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Family: Fringillidae
Goldfinches are among the most striking members of the finch family. Males and females have similar appearances, featuring red face patches and bibs bordered by a white collar. However, the red face patch on females is slightly smaller than that of males. Their wings are primarily black with white spots and a very prominent yellow wing patch.
Egg Measurements: 17x13mm
Clutch Size: 2-7 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 2
Goldfinch eggs are usually pale blue or whitish with reddish-brown speckles. They are small, smooth, and slightly glossy, measuring about 17mm in length.
Eurasian Wren
Species: Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Family: Troglodytidae
The Eurasian Wren is a small bird with a predominantly chestnut brown coloration and a rounded appearance. It has a slender bill and rounded wings. You often see these birds standing in a posture similar to that of a robin, with their narrow tails raised vertically. Wrens are very active and constantly dart from one place to another in search of food.
Egg Measurements: 16×13mm
Clutch Size: 6 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 2
Eurasian Wren eggs are usually white or a very pale pinkish-white, with reddish-brown speckles, especially on the broader end. These small eggs measure about 16mm in length.
Common Pheasant
Species: Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Family: Phasianidae
The Common Pheasant is a large, long-tailed game bird that is easily identifiable by its striking plumage, especially in males. Males have an iridescent copper-colored body, a dark green head with a red face and wattle, and a distinctive white neck ring. In contrast, females, or hens, have a more camouflaged buff-brown coloration with darker markings.
Egg Measurements: 45x36mm
Clutch Size: 10-14eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 1
Common Pheasant eggs are usually pale olive-brown or brownish, sometimes with a bluish tint, and are similar in size to small hens’ eggs. They have a smooth and non-glossy surface.
European Starling
Species: European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Family: Sturnidae
The European Starling is a striking bird with a dark appearance that reveals vibrant colors up close. During the breeding season, its plumage displays iridescent shades of green, blue, and purple, while in winter, it is marked with small silver spots.
Egg Measurements: 30x21mm
Clutch Size: 4-5 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 1-2
Common Starling eggs are generally pale blue or pale greenish-blue, and they are usually unmarked. Their surface is smooth and fairly glossy, measuring approximately 30mm in length.
Carrion Crow
Species: Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
Family: Corvidae
The Carrion Crow is a large bird with a heavy build, characterized by its predominantly black feathers and a large, blunt black beak. These features set the Carrion Crow apart from the similarly sized Rook and Hooded Crow.
Egg Measurements: 43x30mm
Clutch Size: 3-4 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 1
Carrion crow eggs are usually pale bluish-green to olive green, featuring dark brown and grey markings concentrated towards the larger end. They have a smooth and glossy texture and measure approximately 43mm in length.
House Sparrow
Species: House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Family: Passeridae
Male House Sparrows have black and chestnut brown plumage on their backs, while their underparts are a pale grey. They feature chestnut brown heads with a black bib, grey cheek patches, and a grey crown. Female house sparrows, on the other hand, do not have the same extensive chestnut brown coloration on their backs as the males and instead display more muted shades of brown and black on their upper parts.
Egg Measurements: 22x16mm
Clutch Size: 4-5eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 2-3
House Sparrow eggs are usually white or greyish-white, featuring brown or grey speckles. These small, oval-shaped eggs measure approximately 22 mm in length. The speckles tend to be more concentrated at the broader end of the egg.
Eurasian Magpie
Species: Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)
Family: Corvidae
Magpies are easily recognizable birds characterized by their striking iridescent black and white plumage and long tails. Known for their inquisitive nature, they also hold a significant presence in European folklore and superstitions.
Egg Measurements: 34x24mm
Clutch Size: 5-6eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 1
Magpie eggs are usually pale blue or green, with darker olive-brown or gray speckles and blotches. They are relatively small, averaging about 34mm in length.
Collared Dove
Species: Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Family: Columbidae
The Collared Dove is a pale, pinkish-brown bird distinguished by a black half-collar around the back of its neck. It features a long tail and a grey-blue patch on its wings. The Collared Dove has dark red eyes and pinkish-red legs.
Egg Measurements: 31x24mm
Clutch Size: 2-2eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 2
Collared dove eggs are usually white to creamy white, with no markings or speckles. They have an oval shape and a smooth texture, averaging about 31 millimeters in length.
Eurasian Jay
Species: Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Family: Corvidae
Eurasian Jays are members of the Corvid family, recognized for their vibrant colors. Their plumage has a pinkish hue with blue and black barring on their wings. They are especially noticeable while flying, as the striking barring, along with the flash of white feathers on their rumps, stands out.
Egg Measurements: 31x23mm
Clutch Size: 4-5 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 1
Eurasian jay eggs are usually a pale blue-green or olive color, often displaying buff or brown speckles. They measure approximately 31 millimeters in length.
Eurasian Bullfinch
Species: Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)
Family: Fringillidae
Both male and female Bullfinches have a black cap that extends around their head and bill. They feature black wings and tails, as well as a grey and white back. Males are especially recognizable during the breeding season due to their striking rose-red chests.
Egg Measurements: 19x14mm
Clutch Size: 4-5 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 2
Bullfinch eggs are usually pale blue to white, adorned with purplish-brown or reddish-brown spots. They have a smooth and glossy texture and measure approximately 19mm in length.
Song Thrush
Species: Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Family: Turdidae
The Song Thrush is a talented singer, commonly heard during dawn and dusk. Initially a woodland bird, it has adapted to living in parks and gardens for feeding and nesting. One of its notable behaviors is breaking snail shells against rocks, which often results in piles of broken shells that indicate its presence.
Egg Measurements: 27x20mm
Clutch Size: 4-4eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 3
Song thrush eggs are usually a glossy bright blue, often featuring small black or reddish-brown speckles. They measure approximately 27mm in length.
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Species: Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)
Family: Picidae
Although the Great Spotted Woodpecker is known for its distinctive black-and-white pattern accented with bright red flashes, you will likely hear it before you see it. These birds are very vocal; however, they tend to be quite shy in woodland environments.
Egg Measurements: 26x20mm
Clutch Size: 4-6 eggs
Typical Number of Broods per Year: 1
Great spotted woodpecker eggs are typically glossy white and smooth, measuring approximately 26 mm in length. They are laid in a tree cavity, which is usually excavated by the parents and lined with wood chips.
CITATIONS
- Dunnock Eggs | By nottsexminer – Own work, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons [Accessed 4/7/25] ↩︎
- Siskin Eggs By Didier Descouens – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons [Accessed 4/7/25] ↩︎
- Wren Eggs | By Roger Culos – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons [Accessed 4/7/25] ↩︎
- Great Spotted Woodpecker By Didier Descouens – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons [Accessed 4/7/2025] ↩︎
