Rock Pigeon eggs
White, unmarked, about 1.46–1.61 inches long — about 1.6 times the width of a US quarter. A Rock Pigeon lays 1–3 eggs, and they hatch after 17–19 days.
- Color
- White, unmarked
- Length
- 1.46–1.61 in (37–41 mm)
- Width
- 1.14–1.18 in (29–30 mm)
- Eggs per clutch
- 1–3 eggs
- Incubation
- 17–19 days
- Broods per year
- Up to 6 per season
- Nest
- Flimsy platform on building ledges, bridges and barns
How to recognise a Rock Pigeon 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: 37–41 mm long by 29–30 mm wide. For scale, a US quarter is 24.3 mm across, so this egg is about 1.6 times the width of a US quarter.
- Where you find it: flimsy platform on building ledges, bridges and barns. Rock pigeons 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Pigeon | white, unmarked | 37–41 mm |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | white, unmarked | 34–38 mm |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove | white, unmarked | 29–32 mm |
| Mourning Dove | white, unmarked | 26–29 mm |
| Purple Martin | white, unmarked | 23–26 mm |
When rock pigeons lay eggs, state by state
Laying starts earliest in Arkansas (Jan) and latest in Alabama (Dec). Months are estimates from regional breeding data shifted for latitude.
From egg to fledgling
Eggs hatch after 17–19 days and the young leave 25–32 days later. See the full baby Rock Pigeon 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 Rock Pigeon eggs?
White, unmarked.
How big is a Rock Pigeon egg?
About 1.46–1.61 in long and 1.14–1.18 in wide (37–41 × 29–30 mm) — about 1.6 times the width of a US quarter.
How many eggs does a Rock Pigeon lay?
1–3 eggs per clutch, usually one egg a day, with Up to 6 per season.
How long until Rock Pigeon eggs hatch?
Incubation takes 17–19 days. The young then stay in the nest 25–32 days — about 42–51 days from incubation to leaving.
Can I move or touch a Rock Pigeon nest with eggs?
Rock pigeons are non-native and are not covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but check state and local rules first. Disturbing an active nest of any native bird nearby is illegal.
Sources
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds: Rock Pigeon 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.