Book 31, Question 55
Why do bird eggs come in different colors?
Egg colors come from pigments that the mother bird’s body adds to the shell.
A blue-green pigment makes robin’s-egg blue, and a reddish-brown pigment makes brown spots and tints. Eggs hidden inside holes in trees are often white because no one can see them there. Eggs in open nests are often colored or speckled to blend in with the ground or leaves.
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Quick answers
Why do bird eggs come in different colors?
The size, shape, color, and texture of bird eggs are also extremely variable both within and among species.
Murrelet eggs are also perfectly suited to their canopy environs, colored jade green with dark speckles.
Sources: nestwatch.org, National Park Service
More fun facts
- Kiwi eggs are smooth and white, off-white, or pale green in color.
Sources: San Diego Zoo