What to do if you find an abandoned bird egg?

Finding an abandoned bird egg can be an exciting yet concerning discovery. As caring people, our first instinct may be to want to help the egg and baby bird inside survive. However, there are right and wrong ways to provide that care. Before deciding on a course of action, it’s important to gather some key information to evaluate the situation properly.

How to identify the species

The first step is to identify what species the egg belongs to if possible. There are a few ways to make an identification:

• Look at the size, color, and markings on the egg. Different bird species tend to have characteristic egg sizes, shapes, and markings. If you can match the visual features to a species, that provides a good clue.
• Consider where you found the egg. Was it in a nest up in a tree, hidden on the ground, or somewhere else? Different species nest in different areas.
• Think about what birds are common in your area. If you’ve seen robins frequently in your backyard and found a blue egg, it’s likely from a robin.
• Consult a reference guide. There are books and websites that show different bird egg appearances for comparison.
• Take a photo and ask an expert. Post on a forum or social media group dedicated to birding and conservation to get input from people knowledgeable about egg identification.

If you can identify the species, that will allow you to provide species-appropriate care if you choose to intervene.

Consider how old the egg might be

Another key factor is estimating the age of the egg. As an egg develops, the embryo inside progresses through different stages:

• Freshly laid eggs do not have embryos developed yet.
• After incubation for a few days, a network of vessels forms.
• By about 1 week old, an embryo starts becoming visible inside when candled.
• Just before hatching at 2-3 weeks old, the egg will move and make sounds.

Here are some ways to make an educated guess about egg age:

• Very cold eggs are likely freshly laid.
• Warm eggs or eggs found in/near a nest may be incubated for some time already.
• Hold the egg up to a bright flashlight. Older eggs that show a dark network of vessels or an embryo are at least 1 week old. Clear eggs are younger.
• Tap the egg gently. If you hear or feel movement, the embryo is very mature and close to hatching.

Knowing roughly how old the abandoned egg is will inform your choices. With younger eggs, you become more of a surrogate parent. With very mature eggs close to hatching, your goal is keeping the egg safe and supported until it can hatch.

Determine if the egg is still viable

Before intervening with an abandoned egg, check if the egg remains viable or has perished. A nonviable egg has no chance of hatching successfully, so there is no opportunity to help in that case.

Here are ways to assess if an egg is still viable:

• Candle the egg with a flashlight as described above. If the air sac inside looks very large or the contents are cloudy, that typically indicates nonviability.
• Check for cracks or holes in the shell. Major damage allows bacteria inside that will kill the embryo.
• See if the egg sinks or floats in a bowl of room temperature water. Floating usually means the egg is nonviable and air buildup has occurred inside.
• Hold the egg up to your ear. If you hear movement, peeping, or scratching, the embryo is alive.
• Gently tap the egg. If you feel movement in response, that is a good sign of viability.

If the egg remains still and quiet in response to tapping or listening checks over a 12 hour period, it is likely no longer viable.

When to leave the egg alone

Though it can be hard to turn away a seemingly helpless abandoned egg, there are some circumstances where leaving the egg alone is the best course:

• You are confident the parents are still caring for the egg. Some species leave the nest temporarily.
• The egg is newly laid. Development takes 24-72 hours before starting so disturbance should be minimized.
• You are unable to properly identify the species. Without incubation parameters, good care is difficult.
• You don’t have an adequate facility to house the egg or time to provide attentive care.
• The egg is nonviable based on assessment. The embryo has perished already.
• It is illegal to possess the species’ egg where you live. Laws protect certain native wild species.

Unless you have resources for optimized hatching and rearing, it may be best to leave the egg in its natural environment and let nature take its course.

When to remove the egg from its location

Here are circumstances where removing an abandoned egg may be appropriate:

• The egg’s safety is compromised due to weather, predators, nest destruction, etc.
• The egg has been unattended for an extended period well beyond the normal range for that species.
• You have experience successfully hatching eggs of that species already.
• You can properly incubate the egg (either artificially or with surrogate parents).
• You have adequate housing prepared for a young bird once it hatches.
• You have time to monitor the egg frequently and turn/care for it properly.
• It is legal to possess an egg of that species where you live.

With the right facilities and diligent care, removing an abandoned egg may give the embryo its best chance to fully develop and hatch.

How to transport an egg safely

If you determine that removing the abandoned egg is the right choice, transport it carefully to your facility:

• Wear gloves and take precautions to prevent transferring oil and dirt from your hands onto the egg.
• Choose a container like a padded carton or ventilated plastic carrier. Avoid placing eggs directly on hard surfaces that can cause cracks.
• Protect the egg from jostling with cushioning like rolled towels or shredded paper.
• Keep the egg warm during transport using a heat pack or other source of gentle heat. Ideal temperature is generally 99-102°F depending on species.
• Avoid exposing the egg to temperature extremes, moisture, or direct sunlight.
• Drive slowly and avoid sudden stops or starts. Too much vibration risks shaking the delicate embryo loose.
• Limit transport time to under 30 minutes if possible. Eggs can cool quickly away from parents or incubators.

With proper precautions, an egg has a good chance of arriving safely for care. Handle eggs with great gentleness and care at all times.

Egg incubation options

Once you have the egg in your controlled setting, you’ll need to incubate it for the duration of development:

Natural incubation

• Foster bird parents like chickens, pigeons, or ducks may accept and care for eggs of another species.
• Check that egg size, incubation days, and care requirements are compatible before attempting fostering.
• Have a separated nest ready so foster parents can’t damage hatchlings they don’t recognize.

Manual incubation

• Use an egg incubator designed for the egg’s species.
• Program temperature and humidity settings appropriately.
• Turn eggs regularly by hand for the first two-thirds of incubation.

Natural incubation

• Replicate natural nest conditions as closely as possible.
• Choose an appropriate brooder and bedding material.
• Maintain proper nest temperature and humidity.
• Turn eggs by hand several times daily.

Regardless of incubation method, monitor eggs daily for any changes and have candling equipment to assess embryo growth. Prepare the hatching area in advance so hatchlings can be safely moved to proper housing right away.

Caring for hatchlings

The work doesn’t stop once eggs successfully hatch. You’ll have more responsibilities caring for abandoned hatchlings:

Providing proper housing

• Set up an appropriately sized enclosure with proper bedding, perches, food and water stations.
• Maintain ideal temperature and humidity in the habitat.
• Let hatchlings exercise wings in a safe open area if possible.
• Keep housing very clean since chicks are vulnerable to pathogens.

Feeding hatchlings

• Have an adequate supply of the right food for each species. Mealworms, crickets, blended greens, seed mixes and more may be required.
• Provide foods tailored for the bird’s age. Start very small and gradually introduce larger or new items.
• Clean and refill feeders daily. Rinse any produce thoroughly.
• Hand feed young chicks initially until they learn to self feed.
• Ensure adequate hydration if chicks don’t drink well independently early on.

Fulfilling social needs

• Spend time interacting with hatchlings so they imprint well on humans.
• Have mirror toys or consider raising siblings together.
• Introduce any mentor or foster birds very gradually if using.
• Supply places for hatchlings to perch off the ground as they develop.

Providing health care

• Keep the enclosure very clean to prevent illness. Remove soiled bedding promptly.
• Watch for normal development like feathers coming in and eyes opening.
• Monitor for potential health issues like lethargy or injuries.
• Weigh chicks regularly to ensure adequate growth and nutrition.
• Administer any needed medications and supplements under veterinary guidance.
• Take ill hatchlings to an experienced avian vet right away.

Caring for hatchlings has rewards but is also demanding. If you cannot devote substantial time and proper resources, contact a wildlife rehabilitator or avian rescue organization that specializes in hand-reared young.

Releasing juveniles to the wild

The long-term goal is to release healthy juveniles back into natural habitat once grown:

• Get any permits required to release rehabbed wildlife.
• Select a suitable release site providing food, water, and shelter resources.
• Release juveniles in the early morning so they have daylight to get oriented.
• Open carriers and allow birds to venture out on their own.
• Provide any temporary supplemental food/water at the site for transition.
• Avoid staying at the release area or doing public releases. This distresses birds.
• Continue providing resources at the site for several days after to aid adjustment.

Releasing rehabbed birds is very rewarding. However, survivability is not guaranteed. Some key threats the juveniles still face include predation, competition for resources, and difficulty integrating to the wild. Prepare for all possible outcomes emotionally.

Arranging alternate permanent placement

For various reasons, a hatchling may be non-releasable to the wild:

• Permanent physical disability makes survival in the wild unlikely.
• Lack of proper imprinting on their own species prevents proper socialization.
• Transfer of certain illnesses to wild populations poses risks.
• The hatchling is an exotic species imported illegally.

In these cases, responsible placement in a permanent home is needed. Some options include:

• Educational exhibit at a nature center, zoo, or aviary facility.
• Adoption by a trained wildlife caretaker with proper licensing.
• Placement through a bird adoption program or rescue organization.
• Caring for the bird yourself long-term as a companion if permitted.

Though not ideal, domestic life may still enable a non-releasable bird to have good quality of life. Be sure any caretaker is fully committed to and prepared for properly housing, feeding, and enriching the bird for life.

Legal implications of egg and hatchling care

It’s important to understand relevant laws:

• Native wild bird eggs and hatchlings are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state wildlife regulations.
• Possessing native species without permits is illegal. Fines of up to $15,000 and imprisonment may apply.
• Non-native/exotic species may also be regulated. Research applicable national and local ordinances.
• Volunteering with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator can provide legal coverage.
• Responsible rehabilitation focuses on eventual wild release when feasible.

Despite good intentions, keeping protected species without proper permitting risks steep penalties. Let conservation goals guide your decisions if undertaking egg and hatchling rescue.

Conclusion

Discovering an abandoned bird egg can prompt difficult choices. As stewards, we may feel compelled to intervene. However, good intentions alone don’t necessarily equate to the right course of action. Before deciding to assume care for the egg, carefully consider your ability to provide optimal incubation, rearing, and release. Alternatively, contacting an expert qualified rehabilitator is often the wise and legal choice. If undertaking the demanding role of surrogate parent, be prepared to fully commit considerable time and resources to give the vulnerable egg and hatchling their best chance to thrive.