Why do bird eggs come in different colors?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do bird eggs come in different colors?

The Big Idea

Eggs aren't just white! They can be blue, green, brown, or spotted. Why do eggs come in different colors?

Shell Pigments

Step one: Shell Pigments. Egg colors come from pigments that the mother bird's body adds to the shell. A blue-green pigment makes robin's-egg blue.

Brown Spots

Step two: Brown Spots. A reddish-brown pigment makes brown spots and tints. Some eggs have both pigments at once.

Hide or Not

Step three: Hide or Not. Eggs hidden inside tree holes 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.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Robin's egg. Spots and tints. Tree holes. Blend in.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! A robin's egg is so famous that there's a shade of blue named after it. Birds that nest in holes often lay white eggs. Spots help eggs hide in open nests. Two main pigments make egg colors.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw three eggs. One is for a nest in a tree hole. One is for a nest on sand, and one is for a nest in grass. Pick the best color and pattern to hide each one. Which was hardest to design?

Outro

Egg colors come from pigments the mother bird adds, blue-green for robin's-egg blue and reddish-brown for spots. Eggs in tree holes are often white, while eggs in open nests are colored or speckled to blend in. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! The more you look around, the more wonders you will find, so keep your eyes open! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!