Most interesting eggs with natural colors and patterns

Dyeing chicken eggs bright and exotic colors is a well-known tradition associated with Easter. However, for many species, there’s no need to dye the eggs because they are naturally colorful and contain unique patterns. Here’s a look at just a few of the most interesting natural eggs with color.

American Robin

Among the most well-known colored eggs are those of the American Robin. The American Robin is one of the earliest birds to nest each breeding season and usually has a clutch of about three to five eggs. The reason the eggs are blue is still a mystery, though it likely has something to do with natural selection. European Starlings also have similarly colored eggs.

Western Gull

Western Gulls live along the western coast of the United States (hence the name) and lay three eggs in a nest of vegetation. The eggs are usually a light green with dark brown splotches. This is usually the color and pattern of seabirds because they blend into that environment better.

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcons, which are relatively small birds of prey, typically create nests in the scrape of a cliff. Since they’re usually made in the soil or a cliff, the eggs are white to buff with brown markings to make them blend in with the background.

American Golden Plover

Speaking of blending in, the eggs of the foraging American Golden Plovers could be easily missed if you’re not carefully looking for them. The eggs are on the ground in dirt and padded with dry grass and lichens.

Chickens

There is actually quite a variation in color among chicken eggs. The different colors depend on the hen and breed. The bluish green eggs come from the Araucana breed of chickens while the brown eggs come from the Marans breed. Selective breeding is the likely cause of getting such consistent white eggs at the supermarket.

House Sparrow

The ubiquitous House Sparrow has one of the most varied nesting habits. Not only do sparrows have clutches that range from one to 10 eggs, but the colors and patterns of the eggs vary as well. The eggs can be white, blue or green with brown spots.

Emu

The Emu egg is by far one of the most beautiful eggs out there. The large flightless bird from Australia lays eggs that are a little more than five inches long and weigh up to two pounds. The eggs are greenish and become granulated in a way that makes them look like Damascus steel.