American Robin eggs
Sky blue or blue-green, unmarked, about 1.10–1.18 inches long — about 1.2 times the width of a US quarter. A American Robin lays 3–5 eggs, and they hatch after 12–14 days.
- Color
- Sky blue or blue-green, unmarked
- Length
- 1.10–1.18 in (28–30 mm)
- Width
- 0.83 in (21 mm)
- Eggs per clutch
- 3–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–14 days
- Broods per year
- 2–3 per season
- Nest
- Mud-lined cup on a branch fork or ledge; uses open-front nest shelves
How to recognise a American Robin egg
- Color: sky blue or blue-green, unmarked. There are no markings on a fresh egg, though eggs pick up stains from the nest as incubation goes on.
- Size: 28–30 mm long by 21 mm wide. For scale, a US quarter is 24.3 mm across, so this egg is about 1.2 times the width of a US quarter.
- Where you find it: mud-lined cup on a branch fork or ledge; uses open-front nest shelves. Robins do not normally use nest boxes.
- Clutch: 3–5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| American Robin | sky blue or blue-green, unmarked | 28–30 mm |
| European Starling | pale blue or greenish white, unmarked | 27–32 mm |
| Wood Thrush | pale blue or blue-green, unmarked | 24–28 mm |
| Gray Catbird | turquoise or greenish blue, unmarked | 21–26 mm |
| Eastern Bluebird | pale blue, occasionally white | 18–21 mm |
When robins lay eggs, state by state
Laying starts earliest in Alabama (Mar) and latest in Alaska (May). Months are estimates from regional breeding data shifted for latitude.
From egg to fledgling
Eggs hatch after 12–14 days and the young leave 13 days later. See the full baby American Robin 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 American Robin eggs?
Sky blue or blue-green, unmarked.
How big is a American Robin egg?
About 1.10–1.18 in long and 0.83 in wide (28–30 × 21 mm) — about 1.2 times the width of a US quarter.
How many eggs does a American Robin lay?
3–5 eggs per clutch, usually one egg a day, with 2–3 per season.
How long until American Robin eggs hatch?
Incubation takes 12–14 days. The young then stay in the nest 13 days — about 25–27 days from incubation to leaving.
Can I move or touch a American Robin 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: American Robin 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.