Images of eggs of all the breeding birds of Alberta, as well as migrant species, are included in the virtual exhibit at:
http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/vexhibit/eggs/vexalta/exmen1.htm
along with photos of the adult where available, distribution maps, and the natural regions in Alberta in which the bird breeds. Here, one example is given for each aquatic order found in Alberta.
Images of eggs of all the breeding birds of Alberta, as well as migrant species, are included in the virtual exhibit at:
http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/vexhibit/eggs/vexalta/exmen1.htm
along with photos of the adult where available, distribution maps, and the natural regions in Alberta in which the bird breeds. Here, one example is given for each aquatic order found in Alberta.
© 2006 The Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN). All Rights Reserved.
Red-throated Loon, Gavia stellata
Order & Family: Gaviiformes Gaviidae
Description: Long subelliptical and often glossy. Colour is dark brown with darker brown and black spots and blotches.
Clutch Size: 2 eggs
Egg Size: 74 x 45 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Confirmed
Rocky Mountain: Observed
Parkland: Observed
Foothills: Probable
Grassland: Probable
Red-throated Loon, Gavia stellata
Order & Family: Gaviiformes Gaviidae
Description: Long subelliptical and often glossy. Colour is dark brown with darker brown and black spots and blotches.
Clutch Size: 2 eggs
Egg Size: 74 x 45 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Confirmed
Rocky Mountain: Observed
Parkland: Observed
Foothills: Probable
Grassland: Probable
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
The egg and adult of the red-throated loon.
Photos by Graham Mitchell-Lawson and Kim Chapman.
The Royal Alberta Museum, E.T. Jones collection.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Order & Family: Podicipediformes Podicipedidae
Description: Elliptical to subelliptical, smooth and non-glossy. Colour is originally white, becomes nest-stained.
Clutch Size: 4-7 eggs
Egg Size: 44 x 30 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield:
Rocky Mountain: Confirmed
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Confirmed
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Order & Family: Podicipediformes Podicipedidae
Description: Elliptical to subelliptical, smooth and non-glossy. Colour is originally white, becomes nest-stained.
Clutch Size: 4-7 eggs
Egg Size: 44 x 30 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield:
Rocky Mountain: Confirmed
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Confirmed
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
The egg and adult of the pied-billed grebe.
Photos by Graham Mitchell-Lawson and Kim Chapman.
The Royal Alberta Museum, E.T. Jones collection.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Order & Family: Pelecaniformes, Pelecanidae
Description: Elliptical to long subelliptical and chalky. Colour is dull white.
Clutch Size: 2 eggs
Egg Size: 87 x 56 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Observed
Rocky Mountain: Observed
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills:
Grassland: Confirmed
American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Order & Family: Pelecaniformes, Pelecanidae
Description: Elliptical to long subelliptical and chalky. Colour is dull white.
Clutch Size: 2 eggs
Egg Size: 87 x 56 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Observed
Rocky Mountain: Observed
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills:
Grassland: Confirmed
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
The egg and adult of the American White Pelican
Photos by Graham Mitchell-Lawson and Kim Chapman.
The Royal Alberta Museum, E.T. Jones collection.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
Order & Family: Ciconiiformes, Ardeidae
Description: Oval to long oval, smooth and non-glossy. Colour is pale greenish-blue.
Clutch Size: 3-7 eggs
Egg Size: 64 x 35 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield:
Rocky Mountain: Confirmed
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Confirmed
Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
Order & Family: Ciconiiformes, Ardeidae
Description: Oval to long oval, smooth and non-glossy. Colour is pale greenish-blue.
Clutch Size: 3-7 eggs
Egg Size: 64 x 35 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield:
Rocky Mountain: Confirmed
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Confirmed
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
The egg and adult of the Great Blue Heron
Photos by Graham Mitchell-Lawson and Kim Chapman.
The Royal Alberta Museum, E.T. Jones collection.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
Canvasback, Aythya valisineria
Order & Family: Anseriformes, Anatidae
Description: Elliptical to subelliptical, smooth and glossy. Colour is pale green to grayish-olive.
Clutch Size: 7-9 eggs
Egg Size: 63 x 45 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Confirmed
Rocky Mountain: Possible
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Confirmed
Canvasback, Aythya valisineria
Order & Family: Anseriformes, Anatidae
Description: Elliptical to subelliptical, smooth and glossy. Colour is pale green to grayish-olive.
Clutch Size: 7-9 eggs
Egg Size: 63 x 45 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Confirmed
Rocky Mountain: Possible
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Confirmed
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
The egg and adult of the Canvasback
Photos by Graham Mitchell-Lawson and Kim Chapman.
The Royal Alberta Museum, E.T. Jones collection.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
Order & Family: Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae
Description: Subelliptical to oval, smooth and slightly glossy. Colour is pale brown, marked with small black and gray spots.
Clutch Size: 4 eggs
Egg Size: 44 x 31 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest:
Canadian Shield:
Rocky Mountain:
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills:
Grassland: Confirmed
Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
Order & Family: Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae
Description: Subelliptical to oval, smooth and slightly glossy. Colour is pale brown, marked with small black and gray spots.
Clutch Size: 4 eggs
Egg Size: 44 x 31 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest:
Canadian Shield:
Rocky Mountain:
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills:
Grassland: Confirmed
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
The egg and adult of the Black-necked Stilt
Photos by Graham Mitchell-Lawson and Kim Chapman.
The Royal Alberta Museum, E.T. Jones collection.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis
Order & Family: Gruiformes, Gruidae
Description: Subelliptical to long subelliptical, smooth and glossy. Colour is olive-buff with brown to lilac spots and blotches.
Clutch Size: 2 eggs
Egg Size: 94 x 60 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Confirmed
Rocky Mountain: Confirmed
Parkland: Observed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Observed
Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis
Order & Family: Gruiformes, Gruidae
Description: Subelliptical to long subelliptical, smooth and glossy. Colour is olive-buff with brown to lilac spots and blotches.
Clutch Size: 2 eggs
Egg Size: 94 x 60 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Confirmed
Rocky Mountain: Confirmed
Parkland: Observed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Observed
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
The egg and adult of the Sandhill Crane
Photos by Graham Mitchell-Lawson and Kim Chapman.
The Royal Alberta Museum, E.T. Jones collection.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon
Order & Family: Coraciiformes, Alcedinidae
Description: Elliptical to short subelliptical or oval, smooth and glossy. Colour is white.
Clutch Size: 6-8 eggs
Egg Size: 34 x 27 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Probable
Rocky Mountain: Confirmed
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Confirmed
Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon
Order & Family: Coraciiformes, Alcedinidae
Description: Elliptical to short subelliptical or oval, smooth and glossy. Colour is white.
Clutch Size: 6-8 eggs
Egg Size: 34 x 27 mm
Breeding Status
Boreal Forest: Confirmed
Canadian Shield: Probable
Rocky Mountain: Confirmed
Parkland: Confirmed
Foothills: Confirmed
Grassland: Confirmed
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
The egg and adult of the Belted Kingfisher
Photos by Graham Mitchell-Lawson and Kim Chapman.
The Royal Alberta Museum, E.T. Jones collection.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
Learning Objectives
The learner will:
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Become familiar with the appearance, ecology, and taxonomic groupings of Canadian aquatic bird species, with particular reference to Alberta
-
Recognize that appearance of eggs is specific to species
