Anna's Hummingbird eggs
White, unmarked, about 0.47–0.55 inches long — about 54% of the width of a US quarter. A Anna's Hummingbird lays 2 eggs, and they hatch after 14–19 days.
- Color
- White, unmarked
- Length
- 0.47–0.55 in (12–14 mm)
- Width
- 0.31–0.35 in (8–9 mm)
- Eggs per clutch
- 2 eggs
- Incubation
- 14–19 days
- Broods per year
- 2–3 per season
- Nest
- Tiny cup of plant down and spider silk
How to recognise a Anna's Hummingbird egg
- Color: white, unmarked. There are no markings on a fresh egg, though eggs pick up stains from the nest as incubation goes on.
- Size: 12–14 mm long by 8–9 mm wide. For scale, a US quarter is 24.3 mm across, so this egg is about 54% of the width of a US quarter.
- Where you find it: tiny cup of plant down and spider silk. Anna's hummingbirds do not normally use nest boxes.
- Clutch: 2 eggs. A nest with far more eggs than this may hold eggs from two females, or a cowbird egg laid by a brood parasite.
Eggs that look similar
These species lay eggs in the same color group, sorted by how close they are in length. Size and nest site usually settle it.
| Species | Egg | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Anna's Hummingbird | white, unmarked | 12–14 mm |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | white, unmarked | 13–14 mm |
| Tree Swallow | pure white, unmarked | 17–20 mm |
| Indigo Bunting | white or pale bluish, usually unmarked | 17–20 mm |
| Downy Woodpecker | white, unmarked | 19–20 mm |
When Anna's hummingbirds lay eggs, state by state
Laying starts earliest in British Columbia (Jan) and latest in Nevada (Dec). Months are estimates from regional breeding data shifted for latitude.
| State / province | Nesting season |
|---|---|
| Arizona | Nov–May |
| British Columbia | Jan–May |
| California | Nov–May |
| Nevada | Dec–May |
| Oregon | Dec–May |
| Washington | Dec–May |
From egg to fledgling
Eggs hatch after 14–19 days and the young leave 18–23 days later. See the full baby Anna's Hummingbird guide for nestling stages and what to do if you find one on the ground.
Found eggs in your yard?
- Leave them. Parents often step away for long stretches, especially before the full clutch is laid, because most songbirds do not start incubating until the last or second-to-last egg.
- A single egg on the ground is usually lost for good. Eggs cannot be hatched at home, and possession of native bird eggs is illegal without a permit.
- If a nest is somewhere inconvenient, wait it out. Most small songbirds are done in three to five weeks.
- Watch from a distance and keep pets indoors. Repeated visits can lead predators to the nest.
Questions
Frequently asked
What color are Anna's Hummingbird eggs?
White, unmarked.
How big is a Anna's Hummingbird egg?
About 0.47–0.55 in long and 0.31–0.35 in wide (12–14 × 8–9 mm) — about 54% of the width of a US quarter.
How many eggs does a Anna's Hummingbird lay?
2 eggs per clutch, usually one egg a day, with 2–3 per season.
How long until Anna's Hummingbird eggs hatch?
Incubation takes 14–19 days. The young then stay in the nest 18–23 days — about 32–42 days from incubation to leaving.
Can I move or touch a Anna's Hummingbird nest with eggs?
No. Native birds, their nests and eggs are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Wait until the young have left before removing an old nest.
Sources
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds: Anna's Hummingbird life history
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.