How to Identify Eggs for Birds Indigenous to the UK

Indigenous birds of the United Kingdom are those that were natives of the country and continue to survive in the same environment despite its changes. They range from the large and beautiful swan to the small and delicate sparrow. Every bird lays eggs; in order to identify them, you will need to know what to look for.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Notice the color of the eggs. Birds indigenous to the U.K. will lay mostly pale blue or white eggs. A number of eggs will have markings. For example, the robin's egg is either pale blue or white with red spots. The sparrow lays eggs that are bluish white with dark brown markings.

2. Recognize the texture of the eggs. Most of the indigenous birds of the U.K. lay eggs that are smooth to the touch. Some are shiny, but others are not.

3. Check where the nest is made. Many of the indigenous birds of the U.K. will develop their nests in areas you wouldn't expect. The swan makes its nest on the ground near water and bushes. Swans build large nests filled with branches and leaves. Robins make their nests in hedge piles and anywhere that is close to the ground, while the tawny owl nests in the holes of trees.

4. Count how many eggs are in the nest. Most of the U.K.'s indigenous birds have at least two eggs in each clutch and no more than nine eggs. A clutch is the amount of eggs the female bird lays at one time. For example, sparrows lay at least two eggs at one time and no more than seven, while robins can lay between four to six eggs in a clutch.

Tips & Warnings

• When you see eggs in a nest, leave them alone. You don't want to accidentally harm the egg.

References

• native birds of the uk