Downy Woodpecker eggs
White, unmarked, about 0.75–0.79 inches long — roughly the width of a US quarter. A Downy Woodpecker lays 3–8 eggs, and they hatch after 12 days.
- Color
- White, unmarked
- Length
- 0.75–0.79 in (19–20 mm)
- Width
- 0.59 in (15 mm)
- Eggs per clutch
- 3–8 eggs
- Incubation
- 12 days
- Broods per year
- 1 per season
- Nest
- Excavates its own cavity in dead wood; uses roost boxes in winter
How to recognise a Downy Woodpecker 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: 19–20 mm long by 15 mm wide. For scale, a US quarter is 24.3 mm across, so this egg is roughly the width of a US quarter.
- Where you find it: excavates its own cavity in dead wood; uses roost boxes in winter. Downy woodpeckers also use nest boxes with a 1 1/4 in round entrance, so eggs in a box are a strong clue.
- Clutch: 3–8 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Downy Woodpecker | white, unmarked | 19–20 mm |
| Eastern Phoebe | white, occasionally with a few brown spots | 18–21 mm |
| Tree Swallow | pure white, unmarked | 17–20 mm |
| Indigo Bunting | white or pale bluish, usually unmarked | 17–20 mm |
| Purple Martin | white, unmarked | 23–26 mm |
When downy woodpeckers 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 days and the young leave 18–21 days later. See the full baby Downy Woodpecker 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 Downy Woodpecker eggs?
White, unmarked.
How big is a Downy Woodpecker egg?
About 0.75–0.79 in long and 0.59 in wide (19–20 × 15 mm) — roughly the width of a US quarter.
How many eggs does a Downy Woodpecker lay?
3–8 eggs per clutch, usually one egg a day, with 1 per season.
How long until Downy Woodpecker eggs hatch?
Incubation takes 12 days. The young then stay in the nest 18–21 days — about 30–33 days from incubation to leaving.
Can I move or touch a Downy Woodpecker 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: Downy Woodpecker 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.