Bald Eagle eggs
Dull white, unmarked, about 2.28–3.50 inches long — about 3.0 times the width of a US quarter. A Bald Eagle lays 1–3 eggs, and they hatch after 34–36 days.
- Color
- Dull white, unmarked
- Length
- 2.28–3.50 in (58–89 mm)
- Width
- 2.09–2.68 in (53–68 mm)
- Eggs per clutch
- 1–3 eggs
- Incubation
- 34–36 days
- Broods per year
- 1 per season
- Nest
- Massive stick nest reused and enlarged for years
How to recognise a Bald Eagle egg
- Color: dull white, unmarked. There are no markings on a fresh egg, though eggs pick up stains from the nest as incubation goes on.
- Size: 58–89 mm long by 53–68 mm wide. For scale, a US quarter is 24.3 mm across, so this egg is about 3.0 times the width of a US quarter.
- Where you find it: massive stick nest reused and enlarged for years. Bald eagles do not normally use nest boxes.
- Clutch: 1–3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | dull white, unmarked | 58–89 mm |
| Canada Goose | creamy white, becoming stained during incubation | 71–94 mm |
| Great Horned Owl | dull white, unmarked | 52–59 mm |
| Rock Pigeon | white, unmarked | 37–41 mm |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | white, unmarked | 34–38 mm |
When bald eagles lay eggs, state by state
Laying starts earliest in Arkansas (Jan) and latest in Alabama (Jun). Months are estimates from regional breeding data shifted for latitude.
From egg to fledgling
Eggs hatch after 34–36 days and the young leave 56–98 days later. See the full baby Bald Eagle 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 Bald Eagle eggs?
Dull white, unmarked.
How big is a Bald Eagle egg?
About 2.28–3.50 in long and 2.09–2.68 in wide (58–89 × 53–68 mm) — about 3.0 times the width of a US quarter.
How many eggs does a Bald Eagle lay?
1–3 eggs per clutch, usually one egg a day, with 1 per season.
How long until Bald Eagle eggs hatch?
Incubation takes 34–36 days. The young then stay in the nest 56–98 days — about 90–134 days from incubation to leaving.
Can I move or touch a Bald Eagle 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: Bald Eagle 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.