Probably the most striking and variable feature of eggs is their colouration. Although many eggs are white, eggs representing almost every colour of the rainbow are known.
Distinctive Markings
As well as background colour, eggshells may be intricately marked. Markings can be blotches, scrawls, streaks or speckles. These markings are often concentrated in a ring around the large end of the egg.
Probably the most striking and variable feature of eggs is their colouration. Although many eggs are white, eggs representing almost every colour of the rainbow are known.
Distinctive Markings
As well as background colour, eggshells may be intricately marked. Markings can be blotches, scrawls, streaks or speckles. These markings are often concentrated in a ring around the large end of the egg.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
Eggs have a wide range of colours
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.
Eggs have a wide range of markings
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.
Only three pigments are responsible for the tremendous diversity in egg colour and markings. These pigments are related to the pigment in haemoglobin that makes blood red. One pigment, protoporphyrin, produces colours ranging from yellow and pink to reddish buffs or browns. The other two pigments, biliverdin and the zinc chelate of biliverdin, result in blue and green colours. When these three pigments are applied in different proportions, colours ranging from violet-blue to olive-green may result.
Pigment Deposition
Colour is added to the eggshell from pigments secreted by cells in the oviduct wall. The timing of pigment deposition affects colour. Pigment deposited as the egg enters the oviduct results in the base colour of the egg. This background colour may be modified by subsequent addition of eggshell. Pigments added right before the egg is laid form the patterns or markings on its surface. If the egg remains still while pigments are applied, spots appear. If the egg is moving, lines or scrawls appear.
Only three pigments are responsible for the tremendous diversity in egg colour and markings. These pigments are related to the pigment in haemoglobin that makes blood red. One pigment, protoporphyrin, produces colours ranging from yellow and pink to reddish buffs or browns. The other two pigments, biliverdin and the zinc chelate of biliverdin, result in blue and green colours. When these three pigments are applied in different proportions, colours ranging from violet-blue to olive-green may result.
Pigment Deposition
Colour is added to the eggshell from pigments secreted by cells in the oviduct wall. The timing of pigment deposition affects colour. Pigment deposited as the egg enters the oviduct results in the base colour of the egg. This background colour may be modified by subsequent addition of eggshell. Pigments added right before the egg is laid form the patterns or markings on its surface. If the egg remains still while pigments are applied, spots appear. If the egg is moving, lines or scrawls appear.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
All robins lay blue eggs without markings
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.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
A cuckoo has laid one egg in a clutch of four Sedge Warbler eggs. Which egg belongs to the Cuckoo?
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.
Sometimes eggs that are laid in open nests are white at first. They then become stained by the mud and rotting vegetation in the nest. Grebes lay white eggs that become stained and cryptically coloured over time.
In some species, such as the Common Murre, where different females lay eggs with very different markings, the uniqueness may have a purpose. Distinctive patterns help females identify their own egg in a colony where thousands of eggs may dot a cliff face.
Eggs of kingfishers and other cavity nesting birds, such as woodpeckers, are often white. The brightness of the eggs may help the parents to more easily locate them in the cavity.
Sometimes eggs that are laid in open nests are white at first. They then become stained by the mud and rotting vegetation in the nest. Grebes lay white eggs that become stained and cryptically coloured over time.
In some species, such as the Common Murre, where different females lay eggs with very different markings, the uniqueness may have a purpose. Distinctive patterns help females identify their own egg in a colony where thousands of eggs may dot a cliff face.
Eggs of kingfishers and other cavity nesting birds, such as woodpeckers, are often white. The brightness of the eggs may help the parents to more easily locate them in the cavity.
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
This nest belongs to a Killdeer, a shorebird. Most shorebirds lay their eggs in a scrape on a beach. These eggs are camouflaged by their environment.
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.
Grebes lay white eggs that become stained and cryptically coloured over time.
Royal Alberta Museum
© 2006 Government of Alberta and © 1996-2006 Royal Alberta Museum.
Individual murre eggs might have different markings for a reason
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.
Cavity nesting birds like the downy woodpecker often lay bright white eggs
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 basic biology of eggs, and their variation
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Relate ecology to evolution and adaptation (relate form and function)
