How long does it take for bird eggs to hatch?

how long does it take for bird eggs to hatch

Birds are really fascinating creatures. 

They’re the only winged animals on the planet. They can fly, hop, or stroll to their destination. They produce distinct vocalizations and tweets that no other animal does. 

It’s only natural to be interested in these lovely birds’ lives. So in this article you will learn new things about eggs hatching – not to be confused with their fascinating mating and sleeping habits.

The answer to the question of “how long until birds hatch” depends on how big the eggs are but it also varies from species to species. Some large birds lay bigger eggs and take a longer period of time to take care of the young ones, while other small birds have lighter eggs, which take less time to hatch out from them.

Related Article: Where Do Birds Go When It Rains

How Long Does a Bird Egg Take To Hatch

The eggs generally take ten to fourteen days to hatch in smaller birds, while larger birds may require three weeks to a month. There are a few outliers, however the majority of birds incubate for approximately this length of time.

12 Common Birds: How Long Until Their Eggs Hatch

Sparrow 

Sparrow 

The female lays two to five eggs every day, and she often begins to incubate halfway through the process. Eggs are placed in the nest, and both males and females incubate for 11-14 days.

The parents split childcare responsibilities equally, once the eggs hatch. Chicks are kept warm for 6-8 days, but they can regulate their body temperature only after 10 or 11 days.

A sparrow’s egg weighs only 0.6 ounces (17 grams).


Ostrich

Ostrich

Ostrich eggs are typically laid in a communal nest – known as a dump nest – which can contain around 60 eggs at once. Males and females both sit on the eggs until they hatch, which might take up to 42 or 46 days.


Hummingbird

Hummingbird

The other featherweight egg among birds belongs to hummingbirds. Hummingbird eggs are expectedly light, weighing 1/10 ounce each, or 2 grams. They take 14-21 days to hatch. 

Fun fact about the female hummingbird hatching: she will only lay 2 eggs and not at the same time. 

Her initial egg is approximately the size of a pea or a coffee bean. Then she’ll wait a day before laying the next egg.


Penguins

Penguins

The tiny chicks are about 150 to 200g when they hatch. For comparison, adult penguins weigh 22 to 30 kg. The hatchlings only have a very thin layer of down and are yet unable to control their own body temperature.

How long until these birds hatch?

It will take about 50 days to master that skill. It is up to the parents to keep the chicks warm until then. Because they are so little, they may easily be carried in the brood pouch.


Hen

Hen

The hen’s egg weighs about 1 ounce (30g), which makes it one of the lighter eggs in the animal kingdom. 

If the eggs are incubated correctly, it typically takes 21 days for the fertilized chicken egg to hatch. Incubation temperature, humidity, ventilation, and egg turning can all have an impact on the time it takes for eggs to hatch.


Budgerigar

Budgerigar

The average length of time for a budgerigar egg to hatch is around 18 days, which depends on when the female begins to sit and incubate the eggs full-time. 

A budgie might not sit on the eggs in earnest until the appearance of the second or third egg, which can cause hatch dates to vary and is most likely why your first two chicks hatched so close together! This isn’t unusual at all, especially in first-time maiden pairs.


Mallard Ducks

Mallard Ducks

Mallard Ducks eggs hatch about 28 days after being placed in the incubator. This process takes around 24 hours.

The ducklings stay in the nest for at least 10 hours while they dry and get used to walking on their own. Then, usually in the early morning, Momma Duck leads them to water.

The sooner the ducklings get to water to feed, the better their chances of survival –  even if it’s cold or rainy.


Cassowary

Cassowary

Another heavy bird egg belongs to the cassowary birds. It weighs about 3 pounds (1.5 kg). After the female lays the eggs, it is solely up to the male to hatch them, which takes approximately 50 days.

After the eggs hatch, males take care of the chicks for another nine months. The father instructs the young cassowaries – which have unique stripes, in finding food. 

They’re in command of their own destiny and can take care of themselves from nine months old on. The Cassowary reaches maturity at around three years old.


Eagle

Eagle

The Eagle chick will measure 4 to 5 inches at hatching and weigh only a matter of ounces. How long does it take for eggs to hatch? Around 35 days. 

The eggs immediately start developing when the first one is laid. Within 36 to 72 hours after the first egg, the second one will usually hatch. Occasionally, three eggs will be laid.


Peregrine Falcons

Peregrine Falcons

The Peregrine falcon female lays a clutch of three or four eggs at two-three day intervals in late March or April. The incubation of the eggs begins with the last or penultimate egg and lasts 29-32 days per egg.

Chicks hatch over a few days, and their sizes vary less than those of other raptor species. The female generally broods and feeds the young, while the male hunts for food. After the first couple of weeks, the female shares in the hunting.


Swan

Swan

After the nest has been completed – which takes about two to three weeks, the egg-laying procedure begins with one egg being laid every twelve to twenty-four hours. 

After all the eggs have been laid – which might take 2-3 weeks, they will be incubated together in order to hatch. The average time for swan bird egg hatching is 42 days.

A swan egg can weigh about 3 pounds (1.5 kg).


Swallows

Swallows

The breeding season for swallows lasts from March to September. They lay two clutches per year, with a clutch size of 3-5 eggs. It takes between 13 and 17 days for swallow’s eggs to hatch, with the fledgling occurring after 18 to 24 days.


FAQ

How do birds incubate their eggs?

In some species, like the Rock Pigeon, the male and female take turns incubating the eggs. In other species, like the Pin-tailed Whydah, a male and a female of a different species will take care of each egg.

How long do baby birds stay in their nest?

Most songbirds are ready to leave the nest after 2 or 3 weeks, though other birds, such as raptors, may remain in the nest for up to 8 to 10 weeks.

What does “pipping” mean?

Pipping is the process of breaking open the eggshell.

How do you tell if birds are nesting?

There are many things to look for. Birds will be flying back and forth to the nest repeatedly. Furthermore, birds will be transporting food to the nest. Also, they will lay eggs while sitting in a nest. 

Finally, while bird nests are often hidden from view, you can look for nest building materials such as twigs and grasses.

In conclusion

How long does it take for bird eggs to hatch?” is a difficult question to answer. It depends on many things from how big the bird’s eggs are to how much time the bird spends sitting in its nest.

The answer might be complex, but it’s definitely interesting!

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