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Eggs

62 eggs at true relative size, from the 27.5 mm egg of the Peruvian Tern to the 77.9 mm egg of the Great Black-backed Gull.

About this collection. 4,422 eggs, covering nearly every bird that nests in the Americas, from Canada and the United States through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to South America, plus a few famous eggs from elsewhere, like the Ostrich and the extinct Elephant Bird. Sizes come from published measurements wherever we found them; shapes and colours are our best estimates (how accurate these eggs are).

2,116 of them are marked Speculative: we haven't found documented descriptions or measurements of these eggs yet (for 129 of them, a source we checked reports the egg as undescribed), so they are estimated from their closest relatives. They are hidden unless you untick Hide speculative eggs. We keep adding sources and update the eggs as we go. Have you seen one of these eggs, or know a source? Message us.

Make a poster of these 62 eggs
Illustration of a Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) egg, 77.9 × 54.2 mm Illustration of a Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) egg, 75.8 × 52.4 mm Illustration of a Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis) egg, 73.7 × 52.1 mm Illustration of a Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) egg, 72.8 × 50.8 mm Illustration of a Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) egg, 72.4 × 50.4 mm Illustration of a Yellow-footed Gull (Larus livens) egg, 72.36 × 48.15 mm Illustration of a Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) egg, 72.3 × 50.5 mm Illustration of an Olrog's Gull (Larus atlanticus) egg, 71.15 × 48.55 mm Illustration of an Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) egg, 68 × 48 mm Illustration of a California Gull (Larus californicus) egg, 67.5 × 45.5 mm Illustration of a Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) egg, 66.96 × 47.87 mm Illustration of a Swallow-tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus) egg, 65.7 × 45.3 mm Illustration of a Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) egg, 65.3 × 48.7 mm Illustration of a Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) egg, 64.5 × 45 mm Illustration of a Belcher's Gull (Larus belcheri) egg, 63.7 × 45.6 mm Illustration of a Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) egg, 63 × 44.5 mm Illustration of a Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) egg, 62 × 44 mm Illustration of an Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serranus) egg, 60.5 × 43 mm Illustration of an Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea) egg, 60.5 × 43.6 mm Illustration of a Dolphin Gull (Leucophaeus scoresbii) egg, 60.44 × 42 mm Illustration of a Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) egg, 59.3 × 42.3 mm Illustration of a Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni) egg, 58.83 × 40.9 mm Illustration of a Grey Gull (Leucophaeus modestus) egg, 58.2 × 41.2 mm Illustration of a Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) egg, 57 × 41 mm Illustration of a Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) egg, 57 × 41 mm Illustration of a Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) egg, 56.1 × 40.8 mm Illustration of a Lava Gull (Leucophaeus fuliginosus) egg, 55.9 × 39.9 mm Illustration of a Red-legged Kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris) egg, 55.8 × 40.9 mm Illustration of a Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) egg, 55 × 39 mm Illustration of a Grey-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) egg, 53.75 × 35.25 mm Illustration of an Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) egg, 53.5 × 38 mm Illustration of a Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) egg, 53.5 × 38.5 mm Illustration of a Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) egg, 53 × 37.5 mm Illustration of a Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) egg, 52 × 35 mm Illustration of a Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) egg, 52 × 36 mm Illustration of a Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) egg, 51.1 × 36 mm Illustration of a Brown-hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus maculipennis) egg, 50.89 × 37 mm Illustration of an Inca Tern (Larosterna inca) egg, 50.4 × 34.6 mm Illustration of a Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) egg, 50 × 35 mm Illustration of a Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) egg, 49.5 × 34.9 mm Illustration of a Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex) egg, 48.5 × 36.3 mm Illustration of a South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea) egg, 47.16 × 32.06 mm Illustration of a Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) egg, 47 × 34 mm Illustration of a Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) egg, 46 × 33.2 mm Illustration of a Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) egg, 45.5 × 32 mm Illustration of a Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) egg, 45 × 33.5 mm Illustration of a Black Noddy (Anous minutus) egg, 44.5 × 31.1 mm Illustration of a Snowy-crowned Tern (Sterna trudeaui) egg, 44.48 × 29.46 mm Illustration of an Atlantic White Tern (Gygis alba) egg, 43.9 × 32.6 mm Illustration of a Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) egg, 43.5 × 31.6 mm Illustration of a Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) egg, 43 × 31 mm Illustration of a Blue-billed White Tern (Gygis candida) egg, 42.5 × 31.8 mm Illustration of a Grey Noddy (Anous albivitta) egg, 42.4 × 30 mm Illustration of an Aleutian Tern (Onychoprion aleuticus) egg, 42 × 29 mm Illustration of a Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) egg, 42 × 30 mm Illustration of a Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) egg, 41.5 × 30 mm Illustration of a Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) egg, 41.3 × 30 mm Illustration of an Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) egg, 41 × 29.5 mm Illustration of a Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) egg, 34 × 24 mm Illustration of a Yellow-billed Tern (Sternula superciliaris) egg, 31.98 × 23.72 mm Illustration of a Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) egg, 31 × 23.5 mm Illustration of a Peruvian Tern (Sternula lorata) egg, 27.5 × 22 mm
All 62 eggs at the same scale, largest first. Tap an egg to jump to it.
Illustration of an Aleutian Tern (Onychoprion aleuticus) egg, 42 × 29 mm

Aleutian Tern

Onychoprion aleuticus

  • 42 × 29 mm
Breeds in United States

Olive-buff to brownish, spotted and blotched with dark brown.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 44 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 269.
Description
Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 269.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of an Andean Gull (Chroicocephalus serranus) egg, 60.5 × 43 mm

Andean Gull

Chroicocephalus serranus

  • 60.5 × 43 mm
  • Clutch: 2–3 eggs
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

Olive green, with black and grey specks and blotches concentrated at the large end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 5 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 7. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 447.
Description
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 5).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of an Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) egg, 41 × 29.5 mm

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea

  • 41 × 29.5 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Olive to buff with numerous small dark brown spots and blotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 123 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 252.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Arctic Tern, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Arctic Tern, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Alberta Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of an Atlantic White Tern (Gygis alba) egg, 43.9 × 32.6 mm

Atlantic White Tern

Gygis alba

  • 43.9 × 32.6 mm
  • Speculative: we haven't found a documented description of this egg yet, so we estimated its colours and markings from related birds.
Breeds in Costa Rica, Brazil

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Blue-billed White Tern egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 32 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 8. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 457.
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Blue-billed White Tern).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Belcher's Gull (Larus belcheri) egg, 63.7 × 45.6 mm

Belcher's Gull

Larus belcheri

  • 63.7 × 45.6 mm
  • Speculative: we haven't found a documented description of this egg yet, so we estimated its colours and markings from related birds.
Breeds in Chile, Peru

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Herring Gull egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 30 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 7. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 444.
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Herring Gull).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Black Noddy (Anous minutus) egg, 44.5 × 31.1 mm

Black Noddy

Anous minutus

  • 44.5 × 31.1 mm
  • Clutch: 1 egg
Breeds in Costa Rica, Honduras, Aruba, Caribbean islands, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela

Pale reddish-buff, with a few rusty and dark maroon-brown spots and small blotches, mostly at the blunt end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 36 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 8. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 456.
Description
Hauber et al. 2014, The Book of Eggs, p. 174.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) egg, 45 × 33.5 mm

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

  • 45 × 33.5 mm
  • Clutch: 1–5 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico, El Salvador and South America (11 countries)
show all 14Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: El Salvador
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Cream, spotted and blotched dark chestnut-brown over grey, all over.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 58 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 314.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Black Skimmer, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Black Skimmer, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Wikimedia Commons photo; de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 106.
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) egg, 34 × 24 mm

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

  • 34 × 24 mm
Breeds in Canada, United States

Light buff to dark olive, speckled with gray to dark brown.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 122 eggs: Bent, A.C. 1921. Life histories of North American gulls and terns. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 113, scan p. 451.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Black Tern, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Saskatchewan Museum).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) egg, 53 × 37.5 mm

Black-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

  • 53 × 37.5 mm
  • Speculative: we haven't found a documented description of this egg yet, so we estimated its colours and markings from related birds.
Breeds in Canada

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Grey-headed Gull egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 9 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Grey-headed Gull).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) egg, 56.1 × 40.8 mm

Black-legged Kittiwake

Rissa tridactyla

  • 56.1 × 40.8 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Brown, blue, gray, olive or tan, with dark brown-gray speckling.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 41 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 38.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Black-legged Kittiwake, Life History.
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Blue-billed White Tern (Gygis candida) egg, 42.5 × 31.8 mm

Blue-billed White Tern

Gygis candida

  • 42.5 × 31.8 mm
Breeds in Colombia

Dull grey to greyish yellow with large violet clouds and grey-brown to blackish vermiculations, scribbles, lines and blots spread evenly.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 11 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 8. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 457.
Description
Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) egg, 49.5 × 34.9 mm

Bonaparte's Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

  • 49.5 × 34.9 mm
  • Clutch: 2–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Buffy green, with dark spots and blotches.

Sources of information

Size
Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 176.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Bonaparte's Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Saskatchewan Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) egg, 46 × 33.2 mm

Bridled Tern

Onychoprion anaethetus

  • 46 × 33.2 mm
  • Clutch: 1 egg
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Central America (3 countries), the Caribbean and South America (3 countries)
show all 11Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, Panama
The Caribbean: Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela

Creamy, pinkish or pure white ground, spotted and blotched with brown and grey/lilac over the whole egg.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 20 eggs: Bent, A. C. 1921. Life histories of North American gulls and terns. U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, p. 288 (scan leaf 444).
Agrees with: [Ghabre Nakhoda Island, Khuzestan, Iran study; authors/title not visible on page] Journal of Animal Biology (Alzahra Univ.), article 5529.
Description
Bent 1921, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (US Natl. Mus. Bull. 113).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) egg, 52 × 35 mm

Brown Noddy

Anous stolidus

  • 52 × 35 mm
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Central America (2 countries), the Caribbean and South America (6 countries)
show all 13Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Panama
The Caribbean: Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Venezuela

Chalky off-white with bold brown markings and less distinct gray to lilac markings.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 44 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 306.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Brown Noddy, Life History.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) egg, 65.3 × 48.7 mm

Brown Skua

Stercorarius antarcticus

  • 65.3 × 48.7 mm (approx.)
  • Clutch: 1–2 eggs
Breeds in Argentina, Falkland Islands

Olive-buff, sparsely spotted with small brown and grey marks.

Sources of information

Size
de la Peña, M. R. 2025. Aves Argentinas: descripción, comportamiento, reproducción y distribución. Comunicaciones del Museo Provincial de Ciencias Naturales "Florentino Ameghino" (Nueva Serie). Santa Fe., tomo 5, p. 100.
Description
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 5).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 100.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Brown-hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus maculipennis) egg, 50.89 × 37 mm

Brown-hooded Gull

Chroicocephalus maculipennis

  • 50.89 × 37 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Falkland Islands, Uruguay

Pale greenish grey to olive-brown or buff, spotted and blotched yellowish and blackish brown over pale purple (rarely unspotted blue).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 3 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1); supporting: Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 117.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a California Gull (Larus californicus) egg, 67.5 × 45.5 mm

California Gull

Larus californicus

  • 67.5 × 45.5 mm
  • Clutch: 1–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Buff to greenish, with dark spots, speckles, splotches, and short swirls.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 50 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 127.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: California Gull, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: California Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Saskatchewan Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) egg, 64.5 × 45 mm

Caspian Tern

Hydroprogne caspia

  • 64.5 × 45 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States, Mexico

Buff, sparingly marked with dark spots and sometimes large irregular blotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 48 eggs: Bent, A. C. 1921. Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns. U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, scan p. 304.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Caspian Tern, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Saskatchewan Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis) egg, 73.7 × 52.1 mm

Chilean Skua

Stercorarius chilensis

  • 73.7 × 52.1 mm (approx.)
Breeds in Argentina, Chile

Greyish buff, spotted and blotched with pale yellowish brown over pale purple; like Great Skua.

Sources of information

Size
Oates, E. W. 1901. Catalogue of the Collection of Birds' Eggs in the British Museum, vol. 1. London., p. 225.
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 95.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) egg, 41.5 × 30 mm

Common Tern

Sterna hirundo

  • 41.5 × 30 mm
  • Clutch: 1–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States, Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Curaçao, Caribbean islands, Venezuela

Olive to buff, marked with numerous dark brown spots and blotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 82 eggs: Bent, A. C. 1921. Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns. U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, scan p. 365.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Common Tern, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Wikimedia Commons photo; Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Saskatchewan Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Dolphin Gull (Leucophaeus scoresbii) egg, 60.44 × 42 mm

Dolphin Gull

Leucophaeus scoresbii

  • 60.44 × 42 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands

Olive-buff to grey-green, evenly spotted and blotched yellowish and chocolate brown over pale purple.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 4 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1); supporting: Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of an Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) egg, 53.5 × 38 mm

Elegant Tern

Thalasseus elegans

  • 53.5 × 38 mm
  • Clutch: 1–2 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico

White to buff to pinkish to pale maroon, spotted and blotched with brown, black, gray, and purplish.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 27 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 220.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Elegant Tern, Life History.
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) egg, 43 × 31 mm

Forster's Tern

Sterna forsteri

  • 43 × 31 mm
  • Clutch: 1–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States, Mexico

Olive to buff, marked with numerous small spots and blotches of dark brown, often concentrated around the larger end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 65 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 233.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Forster's Tern, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Forster's Tern, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Alberta Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) egg, 52 × 36 mm

Franklin's Gull

Leucophaeus pipixcan

  • 52 × 36 mm
  • Clutch: 2–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Greenish brown with dark splotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 48 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 167.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Franklin's Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Saskatchewan Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) egg, 75.8 × 52.4 mm

Glaucous Gull

Larus hyperboreus

  • 75.8 × 52.4 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Light gray-brown or olive with gray and dark brown spots.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 56 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 55.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Glaucous Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Alberta Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) egg, 72.8 × 50.8 mm

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

  • 72.8 × 50.8 mm
  • Clutch: 1–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Light greenish marked with dark scrawls.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 47 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 69.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Glaucous-winged Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Alberta Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) egg, 77.9 × 54.2 mm

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus

  • 77.9 × 54.2 mm
  • Clutch: 2–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Pale yellowish, greenish, or brownish, with speckles of dark brown or olive.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 59 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 80.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Great Black-backed Gull, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Great Black-backed Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Alberta Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Grey Gull (Leucophaeus modestus) egg, 58.2 × 41.2 mm

Grey Gull

Leucophaeus modestus

  • 58.2 × 41.2 mm
  • Speculative: we haven't found a documented description of this egg yet, so we estimated its colours and markings from related birds.
Breeds in Chile

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Laughing Gull egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 12 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 7. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 444.
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Laughing Gull).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Grey Noddy (Anous albivitta) egg, 42.4 × 30 mm

Grey Noddy

Anous albivitta

  • 42.4 × 30 mm
  • Speculative: we haven't found a documented description of this egg yet, so we estimated its colours and markings from related birds.
Breeds in Chile

Greyish white with pale violet undermarks and very sparse pale grey and dark brown dots, slightly crowded at the blunt end; dull and rough (estimated from Blue Noddy).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 40 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 8. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 455.
Description
Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Grey-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) egg, 53.75 × 35.25 mm

Grey-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

  • 53.75 × 35.25 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay

Dark cream to olive-buff, evenly spotted, lined and blotched yellowish, rufous and blackish brown over very pale purple.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 2 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1); supporting: Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 122.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) egg, 47 × 34 mm

Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

  • 47 × 34 mm
  • Clutch: 2–3 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Caribbean islands, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay

Light buff, yellowish, grayish, or greenish buff with irregular brown spots.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 47 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), pp. 199–200.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Gull-billed Tern, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Gull-billed Tern, Life History.
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni) egg, 58.83 × 40.9 mm

Heermann's Gull

Larus heermanni

  • 58.83 × 40.9 mm
  • Speculative: we haven't found a documented description of this egg yet, so we estimated its colours and markings from related birds.
Breeds in Mexico

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Herring Gull egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 44 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Herring Gull).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) egg, 72.3 × 50.5 mm

Herring Gull

Larus smithsonianus

  • 72.3 × 50.5 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Light olive, buff, or greenish with darker splotches or speckling.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 45 eggs: Bent, A. C. 1921. Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns. U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, scan p. 164.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Herring Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Wikimedia Commons photo; Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Saskatchewan Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of an Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) egg, 68 × 48 mm

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoides

  • 68 × 48 mm
  • Clutch: 1–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada

Pale grayish brown, spotted and blotched with dark brown.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 54 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 62.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Iceland Gull, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Iceland Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (University of Saskatchewan Department of Biology Natural History Collection).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of an Inca Tern (Larosterna inca) egg, 50.4 × 34.6 mm

Inca Tern

Larosterna inca

  • 50.4 × 34.6 mm
  • Speculative: we haven't found a documented description of this egg yet, so we estimated its colours and markings from related birds.
Breeds in Chile, Peru

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Laughing Gull egg (same family).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 4 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 8. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 455.
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Laughing Gull).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of an Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea) egg, 60.5 × 43.6 mm

Ivory Gull

Pagophila eburnea

  • 60.5 × 43.6 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada

Dark to pale brown with variable amount of dark spotting and blotching.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 32 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 32.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Ivory Gull, Life History.
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) egg, 66.96 × 47.87 mm

Kelp Gull

Larus dominicanus

  • 66.96 × 47.87 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Peru, Uruguay

Olive-buff to pale olive-cream, spotted and blotched dark and chestnut brown over grey, all over.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 4 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1); supporting: Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 140.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Large-billed Tern (Phaetusa simplex) egg, 48.5 × 36.3 mm

Large-billed Tern

Phaetusa simplex

  • 48.5 × 36.3 mm
  • Clutch: 2–3 eggs
Breeds in South America (11 countries)
show all 11South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Pale cream, with chestnut-brown and grey specks and small blotches all over.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 4 eggs: de la Peña, M. R. 2025. Aves Argentinas: descripción, comportamiento, reproducción y distribución. Comunicaciones del Museo Provincial de Ciencias Naturales "Florentino Ameghino" (Nueva Serie). Santa Fe., tomo 5, p. 150.
Description
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 5).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 150.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) egg, 53.5 × 38.5 mm

Laughing Gull

Leucophaeus atricilla

  • 53.5 × 38.5 mm
  • Clutch: 2–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada and United States, Mexico, Central America (6 countries), the Caribbean and South America (2 countries)
show all 16Canada & United States: Canada, United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama
The Caribbean: Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: French Guiana, Venezuela

Slightly pointed at one end. Brown with black splotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 69 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 158.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Laughing Gull, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Laughing Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Alberta Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Lava Gull (Leucophaeus fuliginosus) egg, 55.9 × 39.9 mm

Lava Gull

Leucophaeus fuliginosus

  • 55.9 × 39.9 mm (estimated)
  • Speculative: we haven't found a documented description of this egg yet, so we estimated its colours and markings and its size from related birds.
Breeds in Ecuador

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Laughing Gull egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Leucophaeus atricilla, Leucophaeus modestus, Leucophaeus pipixcan, Leucophaeus scoresbii.
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Laughing Gull).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) egg, 31 × 23.5 mm

Least Tern

Sternula antillarum

  • 31 × 23.5 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Central America (7 countries), the Caribbean and South America (3 countries)
show all 16Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
The Caribbean: Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Curaçao, Caribbean islands
South America: Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela

Beige to light olive, splotched with brown or black.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 63 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 275.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Least Tern, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Least Tern, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Saskatchewan Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) egg, 41.3 × 30 mm

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutus

  • 41.3 × 30 mm (approx.)
  • Clutch: 1–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Olive to buff, marked with numerous small spots and blotches of dark brown, often concentrated around the larger end.

Sources of information

Size
Oates, E.W. 1901. Catalogue of the Collection of Birds' Eggs in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol. 1, scan p. 232.
Agrees with: Bent, A.C. 1921. Life histories of North American gulls and terns. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 113, scan pp. 268-270.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Little Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Alberta Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus) egg, 55 × 39 mm

Long-tailed Jaeger

Stercorarius longicaudus

  • 55 × 39 mm
  • Clutch: 1–2 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Greenish to olive brown or pale blue, with dark brown spots.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 48 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 22.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Long-tailed Jaeger, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Long-tailed Jaeger, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Alberta Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of an Olrog's Gull (Larus atlanticus) egg, 71.15 × 48.55 mm

Olrog's Gull

Larus atlanticus

  • 71.15 × 48.55 mm (approx.)
  • Clutch: 3 eggs
Breeds in Argentina

Olive, with brown, chestnut and grey specks and blotches all over.

Sources of information

Size
de la Peña, M. R. 2025. Aves Argentinas: descripción, comportamiento, reproducción y distribución. Comunicaciones del Museo Provincial de Ciencias Naturales "Florentino Ameghino" (Nueva Serie). Santa Fe., tomo 5, p. 134.
Description
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 5).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus) egg, 57 × 41 mm

Parasitic Jaeger

Stercorarius parasiticus

  • 57 × 41 mm
  • Clutch: 1–2 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Greenish to brownish olive, blotched with brown.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 50 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 15.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Parasitic Jaeger, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Parasitic Jaeger, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (University of Saskatchewan Department of Biology Natural History Collection).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Peruvian Tern (Sternula lorata) egg, 27.5 × 22 mm

Peruvian Tern

Sternula lorata

  • 27.5 × 22 mm (approx.)
Breeds in Chile, Peru

Pale grey with larger violet undermarks and fine yellowish-brown spots spread evenly.

Sources of information

Size
Nehrkorn, A. 1899. Katalog der Eiersammlung nebst Beschreibungen der aussereuropäischen Eier. Braunschweig.
Description
Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) egg, 62 × 44 mm

Pomarine Jaeger

Stercorarius pomarinus

  • 62 × 44 mm
  • Clutch: 1–2 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Brown to dark olive-buff, spotted with brown and gray.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 49 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 9.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Pomarine Jaeger, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Pomarine Jaeger, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (University of Saskatchewan Department of Biology Natural History Collection).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Red-legged Kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris) egg, 55.8 × 40.9 mm

Red-legged Kittiwake

Rissa brevirostris

  • 55.8 × 40.9 mm
  • Clutch: 1 egg
Breeds in United States

Gray, ochre, or greenish, with irregular brown markings.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 43 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 50.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Red-legged Kittiwake, Life History.
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) egg, 59.3 × 42.3 mm

Ring-billed Gull

Larus delawarensis

  • 59.3 × 42.3 mm
  • Clutch: 2–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Pale olive gray with dark brown speckles.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 40 eggs: Bent, A. C. 1921. Life histories of North American gulls and terns. U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, scan leaf 207 (account begins printed p. 132).
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Ring-billed Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Saskatchewan Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) egg, 42 × 30 mm

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougallii

  • 42 × 30 mm
  • Clutch: 1–5 eggs
Breeds in Canada and United States, Central America (2 countries), the Caribbean and Venezuela
show all 10Canada & United States: Canada, United States
Central America: Belize, Honduras
The Caribbean: Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: Venezuela

Brown with dark speckles and streaks.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 87 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 259.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Roseate Tern, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (University of Saskatchewan Department of Biology Natural History Collection).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) egg, 43.5 × 31.6 mm

Ross's Gull

Rhodostethia rosea

  • 43.5 × 31.6 mm
Breeds in Canada

Dark olive-brown, sometimes olive-green tinged, quite glossy, with fairly loose, not very large, rounded light and dark brown spots, more towards the blunt end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 36 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 7. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 448.
Description
Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 07. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., pdf p. 57.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) egg, 63 × 44.5 mm

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

  • 63 × 44.5 mm
  • Clutch: 1–2 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Honduras, the Caribbean and South America (5 countries)
show all 12Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Honduras
The Caribbean: Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: Argentina, Brazil, French Guiana, Uruguay, Venezuela

Cream or pale greenish, with small brown and grey specks and spots evenly all over.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 54 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 215.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Royal Tern, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Royal Tern, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Wikimedia Commons photo; de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 177.
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) egg, 45.5 × 32 mm

Sabine's Gull

Xema sabini

  • 45.5 × 32 mm
  • Clutch: 1–4 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Slightly pointed. Rich olive-green with darker greenish-brown, irregular markings.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 56 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 193.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Sabine's Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (University of Saskatchewan Department of Biology Natural History Collection).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) egg, 51.1 × 36 mm

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensis

  • 51.1 × 36 mm
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Central America (7 countries), the Caribbean and South America (5 countries)
show all 17Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
The Caribbean: Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Caribbean islands
South America: Argentina, Brazil, French Guiana, Uruguay, Venezuela

White or whitish cream, boldly spotted and blotched blackish brown and grey, heavier at the larger end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 41 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 224.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Sandwich Tern, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 173.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus) egg, 57 × 41 mm

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

  • 57 × 41 mm
  • Clutch: 1–5 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Light olive with variable amount of dark brown speckles.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 50 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 142.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Short-billed Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Ontario Museum).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Snowy-crowned Tern (Sterna trudeaui) egg, 44.48 × 29.46 mm

Snowy-crowned Tern

Sterna trudeaui

  • 44.48 × 29.46 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay

Pale buff to olive-buff, spotted and blotched dark and chestnut brown over pale grey, all over.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 2 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 169.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus) egg, 50 × 35 mm

Sooty Tern

Onychoprion fuscatus

  • 50 × 35 mm
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Central America (3 countries), the Caribbean and South America (5 countries)
show all 13Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, Panama
The Caribbean: Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, French Guiana, Venezuela

White, buff, or pink, with brown, black, and/or lilac speckling.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 76 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 281.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Sooty Tern, Life History.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea) egg, 47.16 × 32.06 mm

South American Tern

Sterna hirundinacea

  • 47.16 × 32.06 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Peru, Uruguay

Creamy buff (also pale green, reddish or olive buff) with blackish-brown and pale inky-purple spots and blotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 2 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1); supporting: Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 5, p. 162.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Swallow-tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus) egg, 65.7 × 45.3 mm

Swallow-tailed Gull

Creagrus furcatus

  • 65.7 × 45.3 mm
  • Clutch: 1 egg
Breeds in Colombia, Ecuador

Off-white to pale buff, evenly spotted and blotched with dark brown and many grey undermarks.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 10 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 7. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 448.
Description
Hauber et al. 2014, The Book of Eggs, p. 168.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) egg, 72.4 × 50.4 mm

Western Gull

Larus occidentalis

  • 72.4 × 50.4 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico

Light buff or greenish with dark blotching.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 70 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Gulls and Terns (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 113, 1921), p. 92.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Western Gull, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (University of Saskatchewan Department of Biology Natural History Collection).
Clutch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Yellow-billed Tern (Sternula superciliaris) egg, 31.98 × 23.72 mm

Yellow-billed Tern

Sternula superciliaris

  • 31.98 × 23.72 mm
Breeds in South America (11 countries)
show all 11South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Warm buff with small delicate dark brown spots and violet-grey undermarks, like Little Tern.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 3 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1); supporting: Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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Illustration of a Yellow-footed Gull (Larus livens) egg, 72.36 × 48.15 mm

Yellow-footed Gull

Larus livens

  • 72.36 × 48.15 mm
  • Speculative: we haven't found a documented description of this egg yet, so we estimated its colours and markings from related birds.
Breeds in United States, Mexico

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Herring Gull egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 3 eggs: Stoddard, M. C., et al. 2017. Avian egg shape: form, function, and evolution. Science 356: 1249-1254 (Data S1, MVZ egg collection).
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Herring Gull).
Shape
Drawn from the length and width, with the taper estimated from the typical eggs of its group (how these eggs are drawn).

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