Finding an abandoned bird’s nest with eggs can be an exciting experience, especially for nature lovers and birdwatchers. However, encountering abandoned eggs also raises questions about what to do next. Should the eggs be left alone? Should they be moved somewhere safe? What is the best way to preserve abandoned eggs if you want to keep them?
When coming across an abandoned nest, the first consideration should always be – are the eggs truly abandoned? Just because parent birds are not present at that moment does not necessarily mean the eggs have been deserted. Most bird species will leave the nest for periods of time to find food. It’s best not to interfere unless you are absolutely certain the eggs are orphaned.
How to tell if eggs are abandoned
Here are some signs that eggs may be abandoned:
- The eggs have been unattended for several hours or longer.
- The eggs are cold to the touch.
- The nest looks disheveled or partially destroyed.
- There are no parents nearby or they do not return to incubate the eggs.
- The eggs may be covered in debris or other matter.
If the eggs are visibly cracked, rotting, or show other signs of damage, they are most likely no longer viable.
Reasons eggs may be abandoned
There are a few reasons why parent birds may abandon a nest of eggs:
- The parents were killed or captured.
- The nest area became too dangerous due to predators, human interference, etc.
- There was not enough food available to support the chicks.
- One or both parents died during incubation.
- The eggs are infertile.
- Severe weather damaged the nest.
Regardless of the cause, abandoned eggs have very little chance of survival without intervention. If the eggs are still warm and the abandonment seems recent, it may be possible to foster or incubate them artificially.
Can abandoned eggs survive?
Abandoned bird eggs rarely survive long without parental care. Eggs need consistent incubation at proper temperatures and humidity levels in order to develop. With the parents gone, the embryos inside the eggs will die once the eggs get too cold.
Exact survival times depend on the species and stage of development, but eggs are vulnerable without the parents caring for them. At best, embryos may survive 48-72 hours if abandonment happens late in the incubation sequence. But most abandoned eggs perish within a day or two.
Should you rescue abandoned eggs?
Before deciding what to do with abandoned eggs, check your state and local laws. In the U.S., native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and it is illegal to touch or possess most bird eggs without permits.
If you have determined the eggs are truly orphaned and want to help, here are some options:
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitator – Licensed rehabilitators have the best chance of incubating and hatching abandoned eggs successfully. Let them evaluate the viability.
- Foster the eggs – If another nest of the same species is nearby, you can try carefully placing the eggs in that nest to be adopted.
- Incubate the eggs yourself – With proper equipment, skill and licensing, it’s possible to incubate eggs artificially.
- Leave the eggs alone – If you cannot properly incubate the eggs, it may be best to leave them undisturbed.
Never touch or collect active nests or eggs without authorization. Well-meaning rescue attempts often do more harm than good. Contact an expert for advice in your area before intervening.
How to incubate abandoned eggs
If you have determined the eggs have been abandoned and want to try incubating them yourself, follow these key steps:
- Get the proper state and federal permits required to legally possess any native bird eggs.
- Carefully transfer the eggs to an incubator designed for bird eggs. The incubator should maintain a temperature of 99-102°F and 40-60% humidity.
- Gently clean the eggs with a lightly moistened paper towel if they are visibly soiled or dirty.
- Position the eggs with the pointed end down in the incubator trays.
- Mark each egg with a number using a pencil so you can monitor them.
- Turn the eggs at least 3 times per day by hand to prevent the embryos from sticking.
- Candle the eggs after 5-7 days to check for viability. Clear, developing eggs can be returned to the incubator.
- Continue incubating the eggs for the normal period for that species, usually 10-14 days for songbirds.
Successfully hatching the eggs and raising the chicks requires diligence, skill, and the proper supplies. Always put the wellbeing of the animals first. When in doubt, leave orphaned eggs with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
How to make abandoned eggs suitable for display
Preserving unhatched eggs can be done for crafts, educational displays or collections. Here are some options for preparing eggs:
Blow out the contents
Carefully pierce a hole in each end of the egg and blow out the contents into a bowl. Rinse thoroughly. Let dry completely. The empty shells can then be painted or decorated.
Coat with varnish or glue
Paint the eggshells as desired. Then dip in or spray with a clear acrylic glaze or decoupage glue to seal and protect the outside. Allow to fully dry. Display in egg cups or stands.
Preserve whole eggs
Unblowed eggs can be preserved by coating them with a thin layer of transparent lacquer spray. Allow each coat to dry fully before adding the next. Lacquering preserves the whole egg while preventing decay.
How to best display preserved eggs
For keeping Your preserved eggs intact and safe for years to come, follow these display tips:
- Store shells in egg cartons to prevent cracking or pressure damage.
- Use plastic egg cups or specialty egg stands to display free-standing eggs.
- Set eggs in shadow boxes filled with cotton or foam to cushion and hold them in place.
- Avoid storing eggs in direct sunlight or high humidity areas which can cause deterioration.
- Keep shells away from extreme heat or cold temperatures.
- Dust egg shells gently using a soft paintbrush.
- Consider coating with clear acrylic spray annually to renew protective barriers.
Potential risks of preserving abandoned eggs
Before attempting to salvage eggs from an abandoned nest, be aware of these risks and difficulties:
- It is illegal to possess native bird eggs without proper permits.
- Moving or handling eggs may cause damage and kill embryos.
- Eggs must be incubated very soon after abandonment to remain viable.
- Proper egg incubation requires specific temperature, humidity and rotation.
- Hatchlings often require specialized care and feeding.
- Imprinting on humans during rearing may prevent release back to the wild.
- Preserved egg shells are delicate and require gentle handling.
Unless you are a trained professional rehabilitator, the best option is usually to avoid disturbing abandoned eggs and nests. Appreciate them from a distance and let nature take its course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to take abandoned bird eggs?
In the United States, it is illegal to possess the eggs of native wild bird species without special permits, even if abandoned. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects migratory birds and eggs from harm, nest disturbance, or collection. Some common exceptions are invasive species like European starlings or pigeons.
Can you put abandoned bird eggs back in the nest?
It is not recommended to return abandoned eggs to an empty nest. The parents are gone for a reason and likely won’t come back. The eggs are best placed in a licensed rehabilitator’s incubator as soon as possible. Well-meaning re-nesting attempts often fail.
How long do bird eggs last unincubated?
An unincubated bird egg will die once it gets too cold. The embryo needs consistent warmth from parent birds to develop. Exact survival times vary by species but most songbird eggs die within 1-2 days if abandoned before being incubated.
Do mother birds abandon babies if touched by humans?
This is a myth. Most bird parents will not abandon babies or eggs due to human touch or scent. Birds have a weak sense of smell. More often abandonment happens from nest disturbances or predators. But it’s still best not to handle eggs or nestlings unless properly trained.
Can you incubate fertilized chicken eggs from the grocery store?
No, eggs sold for human consumption are unfertilized and will not hatch. Only fertile eggs containing embryos that have been incubated by a hen or artificial incubator can develop into chickens. Unfertilized eggs lack the genetic material to produce a chick.
Conclusion
Preserving abandoned bird eggs can let you closely admire their fragile beauty. But proper practices must be followed to avoid harming active nests or breaking laws. If encountering eggs that appear deserted, contact a wildlife rehabilitator before intervening. With dedication and care, rescued eggs can sometimes still hatch and survive. But the risks of amateur rescue attempts often outweigh benefits. When in doubt, simply appreciate abandoned eggs from a distance and let nature take its course.