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Eggs

65 eggs at true relative size, from the 24.6 mm egg of the Ocellated Crake to the 98.4 mm egg of the Whooping Crane.

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).

2,118 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 65 eggs
Illustration of a Whooping Crane (Grus americana) egg, 98.4 × 62.4 mm Illustration of a Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) egg, 96.2 × 61.4 mm Illustration of a Giant Coot (Fulica gigantea) egg, 66.7 × 44.4 mm Illustration of a Horned Coot (Fulica cornuta) egg, 64.1 × 45.4 mm Illustration of a Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) egg, 63 × 48 mm Illustration of a Red-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata) egg, 62.79 × 40.36 mm Illustration of an Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca) egg, 62 × 40 mm Illustration of a Black-legged Seriema (Chunga burmeisteri) egg, 60.5 × 44.7 mm Illustration of a Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) egg, 59.4 × 43.8 mm Illustration of a Giant Wood Rail (Aramides ypecaha) egg, 57 × 38 mm Illustration of a Red-fronted Coot (Fulica rufifrons) egg, 55.5 × 37.2 mm Illustration of a Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) egg, 52.61 × 38.32 mm Illustration of a Grey-cowled Wood Rail (Aramides cajaneus) egg, 51.8 × 36 mm Illustration of a Little Wood Rail (Aramides mangle) egg, 51 × 35.2 mm Illustration of a Red-winged Wood Rail (Aramides calopterus) egg, 50.8 × 35.6 mm Illustration of a Slaty-breasted Wood Rail (Aramides saracura) egg, 50.8 × 36.2 mm Illustration of a Russet-naped Wood Rail (Aramides albiventris) egg, 50.3 × 35.6 mm Illustration of an American Coot (Fulica americana) egg, 49 × 33.5 mm Illustration of a White-winged Coot (Fulica leucoptera) egg, 48.79 × 34.12 mm Illustration of a Dark-winged Trumpeter (Psophia viridis) egg, 48 × 37 mm Illustration of a Grey-winged Trumpeter (Psophia crepitans) egg, 48 × 37 mm Illustration of a Pale-winged Trumpeter (Psophia leucoptera) egg, 48 × 37 mm Illustration of a Brown Wood Rail (Aramides wolfi) egg, 47 × 35 mm Illustration of a Rufous-necked Wood Rail (Aramides axillaris) egg, 45 × 33.55 mm Illustration of a Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus) egg, 44.1 × 31.3 mm Illustration of a Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) egg, 44 × 31 mm Illustration of a Mangrove Rail (Rallus longirostris) egg, 44 × 31 mm Illustration of an Austral Rail (Rallus antarcticus) egg, 42.8 × 31.1 mm Illustration of a Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) egg, 42.8 × 34.2 mm Illustration of an Aztec Rail (Rallus tenuirostris) egg, 42.5 × 30 mm Illustration of a Bogota Rail (Rallus semiplumbeus) egg, 42.5 × 30 mm Illustration of a Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans) egg, 42.5 × 30 mm Illustration of a Plain-flanked Rail (Rallus wetmorei) egg, 42.1 × 29.6 mm Illustration of a King Rail (Rallus elegans) egg, 41 × 30 mm Illustration of a Spot-flanked Gallinule (Porphyriops melanops) egg, 41 × 29.1 mm Illustration of a Blackish Rail (Pardirallus nigricans) egg, 40.3 × 30.7 mm Illustration of a Chestnut-headed Crake (Anurolimnas castaneiceps) egg, 40.3 × 29.1 mm Illustration of a Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) egg, 39.2 × 28.8 mm Illustration of a Black-banded Crake (Rufirallus fasciatus) egg, 37.33 × 25.52 mm Illustration of a Plumbeous Rail (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) egg, 34 × 26.2 mm Illustration of an Ash-throated Crake (Mustelirallus albicollis) egg, 33.17 × 25.62 mm Illustration of a Red-and-white Crake (Rufirallus leucopyrrhus) egg, 33 × 24.8 mm Illustration of a Rufous-faced Crake (Rufirallus xenopterus) egg, 33 × 24.4 mm Illustration of a Spotted Rail (Pardirallus maculatus) egg, 33 × 25 mm Illustration of a Russet-crowned Crake (Rufirallus viridis) egg, 32.96 × 24.07 mm Illustration of an Uniform Crake (Amaurolimnas concolor) egg, 32.65 × 26.9 mm Illustration of an Azure Gallinule (Porphyrio flavirostris) egg, 32.4 × 24.7 mm Illustration of a Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) egg, 32 × 24.5 mm Illustration of a Colombian Crake (Mustelirallus colombianus) egg, 31.6 × 24.1 mm Illustration of a Zapata Rail (Mustelirallus cerverai) egg, 31.6 × 24.1 mm Illustration of a Rufous-sided Crake (Laterallus melanophaius) egg, 31.5 × 23 mm Illustration of a Sora (Porzana carolina) egg, 31.5 × 22.5 mm Illustration of a White-throated Crake (Laterallus albigularis) egg, 31.2 × 23.8 mm Illustration of a Grey-breasted Crake (Laterallus exilis) egg, 31.15 × 23.25 mm Illustration of a Paint-billed Crake (Mustelirallus erythrops) egg, 30 × 22.6 mm Illustration of a Galapagos Crake (Laterallus spilonota) egg, 29.4 × 21.8 mm Illustration of a Ruddy Crake (Laterallus ruber) egg, 29.2 × 23.5 mm Illustration of a Rusty-flanked Crake (Laterallus levraudi) egg, 29.2 × 21.8 mm Illustration of a Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) egg, 28.3 × 20.7 mm Illustration of a Dot-winged Crake (Laterallus spiloptera) egg, 27 × 19.7 mm Illustration of a Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica) egg, 26.73 × 20.57 mm Illustration of a Speckled Rail (Laterallus notatus) egg, 25.7 × 19.8 mm Illustration of a Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) egg, 25.6 × 19.8 mm Illustration of a Yellow-breasted Crake (Laterallus flaviventer) egg, 24.86 × 18.12 mm Illustration of an Ocellated Crake (Rufirallus schomburgkii) egg, 24.6 × 19.3 mm
All 65 eggs at the same scale, largest first. Tap an egg to jump to it.
Illustration of an American Coot (Fulica americana) egg, 49 × 33.5 mm

American Coot

Fulica americana

  • 49 × 33.5 mm
  • Clutch: 8–12 eggs
Breeds in Canada and United States, Mexico, Central America (6 countries), the Caribbean and South America (2 countries)
show all 15Canada & United States: Canada, United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
The Caribbean: Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Curaçao, Caribbean islands
South America: Colombia, Venezuela

Buff, pinkish buff or buff-gray speckled with dark brown, purplish brown, or black.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 122 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 361.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: American Coot, 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 an Andean Coot (Fulica ardesiaca) egg, 62 × 40 mm

Andean Coot

Fulica ardesiaca

  • 62 × 40 mm (approx.)
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

Stone-buff, with fine, fairly sparse dark brown and grey specks evenly all over.

Sources of information

Size
Nehrkorn, A. 1899. Katalog der Eiersammlung nebst Beschreibungen der aussereuropäischen Eier. Braunschweig.
Description
Nehrkorn 1899 (Katalog der Eiersammlung).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 4, p. 82.
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 Ash-throated Crake (Mustelirallus albicollis) egg, 33.17 × 25.62 mm

Ash-throated Crake

Mustelirallus albicollis

  • 33.17 × 25.62 mm
  • Clutch: 1–5 eggs
Breeds in South America (12 countries)
show all 12South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Whitish to light creamy, rather sparingly marked with small light and dark brown spots, mostly at the large end, purplish undermarks; moderately glossy.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 50 eggs: Hellebrekers, W. P. J. 1942. Revision of the Penard oölogical collection from Surinam. Zoologische Mededelingen 24: 240–275., p. 244.
Description
Hellebrekers, W.Ph.J. 1942. Revision of the Penard oölogical collection from Surinam. Zoologische Mededelingen 24.
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 Austral Rail (Rallus antarcticus) egg, 42.8 × 31.1 mm

Austral Rail

Rallus antarcticus

  • 42.8 × 31.1 mm (approx.)
Breeds in Argentina, Chile

Pinkish cream, sparsely spotted rufous and pale purple, denser at the large end, some with twisted rufous lines; little gloss.

Sources of information

Size
Oates, E. W. 1901. Catalogue of the Collection of Birds' Eggs in the British Museum, vol. 1. London., p. 110.
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1).
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 Aztec Rail (Rallus tenuirostris) egg, 42.5 × 30 mm

Aztec Rail

Rallus tenuirostris

  • 42.5 × 30 mm (estimated)
  • Speculative: we haven't found documented measurements of this egg yet, so we estimated its size from related birds.
Breeds in Mexico

Whitish with brown spots; oval.

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Rallus antarcticus, Rallus crepitans, Rallus elegans, Rallus limicola, Rallus longirostris ….
Description
Williams, S. O. III 1989. Notes on the rail Rallus longirostris tenuirostris in the highlands of central Mexico. Wilson Bull. 101(1): 117-120.
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 Azure Gallinule (Porphyrio flavirostris) egg, 32.4 × 24.7 mm

Azure Gallinule

Porphyrio flavirostris

  • 32.4 × 24.7 mm
Breeds in Trinidad and Tobago and South America (9 countries)
show all 10The Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela

Creamy, with a great many small reddish-brown spots all over.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 3 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 351.
Description
Haverschmidt, F. 1968. Birds of Surinam. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh and London., p. 92.
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 Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) egg, 25.6 × 19.8 mm

Black Rail

Laterallus jamaicensis

  • 25.6 × 19.8 mm
  • Clutch: 4–13 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Central America (3 countries), the Caribbean and South America (3 countries)
show all 9Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras
The Caribbean: Caribbean islands
South America: Brazil, Chile, Peru

Creamy white with fine brown spots.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 92 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 329.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Black Rail, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Black Rail, 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 Black-banded Crake (Rufirallus fasciatus) egg, 37.33 × 25.52 mm

Black-banded Crake

Rufirallus fasciatus

  • 37.33 × 25.52 mm
  • Clutch: 2 eggs
Breeds in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

Immaculate white (older descriptions of cream eggs marked with lavender and brown, and their sizes, belong to another species).

Sources of information

Size
Greeney 2022, Bull. B.O.C. 142(4): 404–409, p. 406.
Description
Greeney 2022, Bull. B.O.C. 142(4): 404–409, p. 406.
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 Seriema (Chunga burmeisteri) egg, 60.5 × 44.7 mm

Black-legged Seriema

Chunga burmeisteri

  • 60.5 × 44.7 mm
  • Clutch: 2 eggs
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay

Cream with sparse chestnut and grey speckles and blotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 3 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 7, p. 376.
Description
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 7).
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 Blackish Rail (Pardirallus nigricans) egg, 40.3 × 30.7 mm

Blackish Rail

Pardirallus nigricans

  • 40.3 × 30.7 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela

Reddish grey with fine violet, dark brown and light red spots and dots.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 40 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 342.
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 Bogota Rail (Rallus semiplumbeus) egg, 42.5 × 30 mm

Bogota Rail

Rallus semiplumbeus

  • 42.5 × 30 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 Colombia, Peru

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Aztec Rail egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Rallus antarcticus, Rallus crepitans, Rallus elegans, Rallus limicola, Rallus longirostris ….
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Aztec Rail).
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 Wood Rail (Aramides wolfi) egg, 47 × 35 mm

Brown Wood Rail

Aramides wolfi

  • 47 × 35 mm (approx.)
Breeds in Colombia, Ecuador

Cream, spotted with brown at both ends; oval.

Sources of information

Size
Karubian, J., L. Carrasco, P. Mena et al. 2011. Nesting biology, home range, and habitat use of the Brown Wood Rail (Aramides wolfi) in northwest Ecuador. Wilson J. Ornithol. 123: 137-141.
Description
Karubian et al. 2011, Wilson J. Ornithol. 123: 137-141.
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 Chestnut-headed Crake (Anurolimnas castaneiceps) egg, 40.3 × 29.1 mm

Chestnut-headed Crake

Anurolimnas castaneiceps

  • 40.3 × 29.1 mm (estimated)
  • Speculative: we haven't found documented measurements of this egg yet, so we estimated its size from related birds.
Breeds in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

Pinkish white with scattered brown spots.

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same family: Amaurolimnas concolor, Aramides albiventris, Aramides axillaris, Aramides cajaneus, Aramides mangle ….
Description
Galarza, J., D. Guarderas & G. Buitron-Jurado 2011. First description of nests and eggs of Chestnut-headed Crake (Anurolimnas castaneiceps) from Ecuador. Wilson J. Ornithol. 123(1) (doi 10.1676/10-089.1).
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 Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans) egg, 42.5 × 30 mm

Clapper Rail

Rallus crepitans

  • 42.5 × 30 mm
  • Clutch: 2–16 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Belize, Caribbean islands

Creamy white to buff, with irregular brown to lilac blotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 50 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 279.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Clapper Rail, 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 Colombian Crake (Mustelirallus colombianus) egg, 31.6 × 24.1 mm

Colombian Crake

Mustelirallus colombianus

  • 31.6 × 24.1 mm (estimated)
  • Speculative: we haven't found a description of this egg (a source we checked reports it as undescribed), so we estimated its colours and markings and its size from related birds.
Breeds in Panama, Colombia, Ecuador

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Ash-throated Crake egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Mustelirallus albicollis, Mustelirallus erythrops.
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Ash-throated Crake).
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 Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) egg, 44 × 31 mm

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

  • 44 × 31 mm
  • Clutch: 3–15 eggs
Breeds in Canada and United States, Mexico, Central America (7 countries), the Caribbean and South America (13 countries)
show all 28Canada & United States: Canada, United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
The Caribbean: Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Pale greenish buff, spotted and speckled light and dark chestnut all over.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 105 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 350.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Common Gallinule, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Common Gallinule, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Bird Eggs of Canada photo (Royal Alberta Museum); de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 4, p. 41.
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 Dark-winged Trumpeter (Psophia viridis) egg, 48 × 37 mm

Dark-winged Trumpeter

Psophia viridis

  • 48 × 37 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 Brazil

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

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Psophia crepitans.
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Grey-winged Trumpeter).
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 Dot-winged Crake (Laterallus spiloptera) egg, 27 × 19.7 mm

Dot-winged Crake

Laterallus spiloptera

  • 27 × 19.7 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay

Whitish, with scattered small reddish, brown and grey dots, more at the blunt end; small end only slightly pointed.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 3 eggs: Larracoechea, G. A. 2017. Nidificacion del Burrito Negruzco (Porzana spiloptera) en Villa del Mar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nuestras Aves 62: 24-27.
Description
Larracoechea 2017, Nuestras Aves 62: 24-27.
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 Galapagos Crake (Laterallus spilonota) egg, 29.4 × 21.8 mm

Galapagos Crake

Laterallus spilonota

  • 29.4 × 21.8 mm
Breeds in Ecuador

Beige, sprinkled with fine red-brown and some grey speckles over most of the surface, especially at the wide end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 3 eggs: Franklin, A. B., D. A. Clark & D. B. Clark 1979. Ecology and behavior of the Galapagos Rail. Wilson Bull. 91(2): 202-221.
Description
Franklin, Clark & Clark 1979, Wilson Bull. 91: 202-221.
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 Giant Coot (Fulica gigantea) egg, 66.7 × 44.4 mm

Giant Coot

Fulica gigantea

  • 66.7 × 44.4 mm (approx.)
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru

Pale cream, sparsely spotted and blotched reddish-brown with a few pale purple shell marks; coarse, glossless shell.

Sources of information

Size
Oates, E. W. 1901. Catalogue of the Collection of Birds' Eggs in the British Museum, vol. 1. London., p. 131.
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1).
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 Giant Wood Rail (Aramides ypecaha) egg, 57 × 38 mm

Giant Wood Rail

Aramides ypecaha

  • 57 × 38 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

Pale ochre-cream, sparsely spotted chestnut and lilac all over, more at the large end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 30 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 343.
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 4, p. 15.
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-breasted Crake (Laterallus exilis) egg, 31.15 × 23.25 mm

Grey-breasted Crake

Laterallus exilis

  • 31.15 × 23.25 mm (approx.)
  • Clutch: 3 eggs
Breeds in Mexico, Central America (6 countries), Trinidad and Tobago and South America (11 countries)
show all 19Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
The Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Cream, smooth, little gloss, with dark brown spots and pale grey underlying marks, thickest at the large end.

Sources of information

Size
Schönwetter, M. 1962. Handbuch der Oologie, pt 6 (p. 346), quoted in Wetmore, A. 1965. The birds of the Republic of Panamá, part 1 (Tinamidae to Rynchopidae). Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 150(1)., p. 357.
Agrees with: Belcher, C. & G. D. Smooker 1935. Ibis (p. 284), quoted in Wetmore, A. 1965. The birds of the Republic of Panamá, part 1 (Tinamidae to Rynchopidae). Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 150(1)., pp. 356-357.
Description
Wetmore 1965, The Birds of the Republic of Panama, pt 1 (Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 150) (quoting Schönwetter 1962).
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-cowled Wood Rail (Aramides cajaneus) egg, 51.8 × 36 mm

Grey-cowled Wood Rail

Aramides cajaneus

  • 51.8 × 36 mm
  • Clutch: 3–5 eggs
Breeds in Central America (2 countries), Trinidad and Tobago and South America (12 countries)
show all 15Central America: Costa Rica, Panama
The Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Whitish to pale cream or buff, strongly ovate, blotched and spotted with bright brown/chestnut, cinnamon and pale lilac, densest at the thick end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 6 eggs: Skutch, A. F. 1994. The Gray-necked Wood-Rail: habits, food, nesting, and voice. Auk 111: 200–204., p. 201.
Agrees with: Wetmore, A. 1965. The Birds of the Republic of Panamá. Part 1. Tinamidae to Rynchopidae. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 150(1)., p. 344.
Description
Skutch, A. F. 1994. The Gray-necked Wood-Rail: habits, food, nesting, and voice. Auk 111: 200–204., p. 201.
Agrees with: Wetmore, A. 1965. The Birds of the Republic of Panamá. Part 1. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 150(1) (incl. Belcher & Smooker 1935, Ibis)., p. 344.
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-winged Trumpeter (Psophia crepitans) egg, 48 × 37 mm

Grey-winged Trumpeter

Psophia crepitans

  • 48 × 37 mm (approx.)
  • Clutch: 7 eggs
Breeds in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Dirty white, unmarked.

Sources of information

Size
Penard, F. P. & A. P. Penard 1908. De vogels van Guyana (Suriname, Cayenne en Demerara), deel 1. Paramaribo., p. 224.
Description
Ihering 1900 (Revista do Museu Paulista 4); supporting: Euler 1900 (Revista do Museu Paulista 4).
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 Horned Coot (Fulica cornuta) egg, 64.1 × 45.4 mm

Horned Coot

Fulica cornuta

  • 64.1 × 45.4 mm
  • Clutch: up to 7 eggs
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile

Brownish cream with chestnut and lilac blotches and dots.

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 4, p. 80.
Description
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 4).
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 King Rail (Rallus elegans) egg, 41 × 30 mm

King Rail

Rallus elegans

  • 41 × 30 mm
  • Clutch: 10–12 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States, Caribbean islands

Pale buff with a few irregular brown spots.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 56 eggs: Bent, A. C. 1926. Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds. U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, scan p. 281.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: King Rail, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: Flickr photo by Burke Museum; 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 Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) egg, 59.4 × 43.8 mm

Limpkin

Aramus guarauna

  • 59.4 × 43.8 mm
  • Clutch: 4–7 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Central America (7 countries), the Caribbean and South America (12 countries)
show all 23Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
The Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Cream to olive-buff, with soft chestnut-brown blotches, lines and small grey marks, most at the large end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 40 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 257.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Limpkin, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Limpkin, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 4, p. 4.
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 Wood Rail (Aramides mangle) egg, 51 × 35.2 mm

Little Wood Rail

Aramides mangle

  • 51 × 35.2 mm
Breeds in Brazil, French Guiana

Cream-white, sometimes flesh- or pale grey-tinged, sparsely spotted with small round light to dark chestnut and pale violet spots, denser and coarser at the large end and fading toward the small end; moderate gloss.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 7 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 343.
Description
Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 05. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., pdf p. 63.
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 Mangrove Rail (Rallus longirostris) egg, 44 × 31 mm

Mangrove Rail

Rallus longirostris

  • 44 × 31 mm (approx.)
  • Clutch: 3–7 eggs
Breeds in Central America (4 countries), Trinidad and Tobago and South America (8 countries)
show all 13Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua
The Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago
South America: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Whitish to creamy white with small brown spots and some purplish-brown speckling.

Sources of information

Size
Hauber et al. 2014 (The Book of Eggs), ["p. 63"].
Description
Pineda, L., Beltrán, L., Herrera, M. & Sorto, A. 2020. Notas de la anidación del Rascón de Manglar Rallus longirostris en El Salvador. Revista Minerva 3(1): 141-150, p. 146; supporting: Hauber, M. E. (ed.) 2014. The Book of Eggs. University of Chicago Press; supporting: Wikipedia: Mangrove rail (accessed Oct 2026).
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 Ocellated Crake (Rufirallus schomburgkii) egg, 24.6 × 19.3 mm

Ocellated Crake

Rufirallus schomburgkii

  • 24.6 × 19.3 mm (approx.)
Breeds in Costa Rica and South America (11 countries)
show all 12Central America: Costa Rica
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Dull white, unmarked; thin plain shell.

Sources of information

Size
Negret, A. & D. M. Teixeira 1984. The Ocellated Crake (Micropygia schomburgkii) of central Brazil. Condor 86(2): 220.
Description
Negret & Teixeira 1984, Condor 86: 220.
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 Paint-billed Crake (Mustelirallus erythrops) egg, 30 × 22.6 mm

Paint-billed Crake

Mustelirallus erythrops

  • 30 × 22.6 mm
  • Clutch: 3–7 eggs
Breeds in Central America (2 countries) and South America (10 countries)
show all 12Central America: Costa Rica, Panama
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Creamy buff with large reddish speckles near the blunt end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 9 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 347.
Description
Hauber, M. E. (ed.) et al. 2014. The Book of Eggs. University of Chicago Press.
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 Pale-winged Trumpeter (Psophia leucoptera) egg, 48 × 37 mm

Pale-winged Trumpeter

Psophia leucoptera

  • 48 × 37 mm (estimated)
  • Speculative: we haven't found documented measurements of this egg yet, so we estimated its size from related birds.
Breeds in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru

Blunt oval, dull white with a very slight buff tinge, rough and glossless.

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Psophia crepitans.
Description
Oates 1902 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 2).
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 Plain-flanked Rail (Rallus wetmorei) egg, 42.1 × 29.6 mm

Plain-flanked Rail

Rallus wetmorei

  • 42.1 × 29.6 mm
Breeds in Venezuela

Buffy with dark reddish-purple spots, concentrated at the wider end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 14 eggs: Rodriguez-Ferraro, A., E. Sanchez & M. Lentino 2012. First description of the nest and eggs of the Plain-flanked Rail (Rallus wetmorei). Ornitol. Neotrop. 23(3): 461-466.
Description
Rodriguez-Ferraro et al. 2012, Ornitol. Neotrop. 23: 461-466.
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 Plumbeous Rail (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) egg, 34 × 26.2 mm

Plumbeous Rail

Pardirallus sanguinolentus

  • 34 × 26.2 mm (approx.)
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay

Creamy white, sparingly spotted reddish brown with ash-grey underlying marks, mostly towards the larger end (like Water Rail).

Sources of information

Size
Oates, E. W. 1901. Catalogue of the Collection of Birds' Eggs in the British Museum, vol. 1. London., p. 111.
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 4, p. 56.
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 Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) egg, 39.2 × 28.8 mm

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

  • 39.2 × 28.8 mm
  • Clutch: 6–8 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico, Central America (5 countries), the Caribbean and South America (12 countries)
show all 22Canada & United States: United States
Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
The Caribbean: Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Pale ochre-cream, finely spotted chestnut and grey all over.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 56 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 342.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Purple Gallinule, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Purple Gallinule, Life History.
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 4, p. 61.
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 Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) egg, 52.61 × 38.32 mm

Purple Swamphen

Porphyrio porphyrio

  • 52.61 × 38.32 mm
Breeds in United States

Long-oval, cream-yellow to stone or light yellowish brown, often with a rosy tinge, spotted with dark red-brown to blackish purple-brown and pale purple-grey, scattered or crowded at the broad end; little gloss.

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
Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 06. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., pdf p. 16.
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-and-white Crake (Rufirallus leucopyrrhus) egg, 33 × 24.8 mm

Red-and-white Crake

Rufirallus leucopyrrhus

  • 33 × 24.8 mm
  • Clutch: up to 4 eggs
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

White, unmarked.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 25 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 347.
Description
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 4).
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-fronted Coot (Fulica rufifrons) egg, 55.5 × 37.2 mm

Red-fronted Coot

Fulica rufifrons

  • 55.5 × 37.2 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay

Pale creamy buff tinged green, specked, spotted and blotched with rich chocolate-brown, denser at the larger end, few pale purple marks; slightly glossy.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 40 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 353.
Description
Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 4, p. 74.
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-gartered Coot (Fulica armillata) egg, 62.79 × 40.36 mm

Red-gartered Coot

Fulica armillata

  • 62.79 × 40.36 mm
  • Clutch: up to 7 eggs
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay

Cream to olive-buff, evenly sprinkled all over with small dark brown and grey specks.

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
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 4); Oates 1901 (BM Egg Catalogue vol 1).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 4, p. 68.
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 Seriema (Cariama cristata) egg, 63 × 48 mm

Red-legged Seriema

Cariama cristata

  • 63 × 48 mm (approx.)
  • Clutch: 2–3 eggs
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

Pinkish to dull white with sparse, faint reddish-brown maculation; dull.

Sources of information

Size
Hauber, M. E. (ed.), J. Bates & B. Becker 2014. The Book of Eggs: A Life-Size Guide to the Eggs of Six Hundred of the World's Bird Species. University of Chicago Press., p. 284.
Description
Hauber, M.E. et al. (2014). The Book of Eggs. University of Chicago Press, p. 284.
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-winged Wood Rail (Aramides calopterus) egg, 50.8 × 35.6 mm

Red-winged Wood Rail

Aramides calopterus

  • 50.8 × 35.6 mm (estimated)
  • Speculative: we haven't found a description of this egg (a source we checked reports it as undescribed), so we estimated its colours and markings and its size from related birds.
Breeds in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Grey-cowled Wood Rail egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Aramides albiventris, Aramides axillaris, Aramides cajaneus, Aramides mangle, Aramides saracura ….
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Grey-cowled Wood Rail).
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 Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus) egg, 44.1 × 31.3 mm

Ridgway's Rail

Rallus obsoletus

  • 44.1 × 31.3 mm
  • Clutch: 3–14 eggs
Breeds in United States, Mexico

Creamy white to buff with brown to lilac blotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 57 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 269.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Ridgway's Rail, 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 Ruddy Crake (Laterallus ruber) egg, 29.2 × 23.5 mm

Ruddy Crake

Laterallus ruber

  • 29.2 × 23.5 mm
Breeds in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua

Cream, flecked with reddish brown at the larger end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 4 eggs: Dickerman, R. W. 1968. Notes on the Red Rail (Laterallus ruber). Wilson Bull. 80(1): 94-99.
Description
Dickerman 1968, Wilson Bull. 80: 94-99.
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 Rufous-faced Crake (Rufirallus xenopterus) egg, 33 × 24.4 mm

Rufous-faced Crake

Rufirallus xenopterus

  • 33 × 24.4 mm (estimated)
  • Speculative: we haven't found a description of this egg (a source we checked reports it as undescribed), so we estimated its colours and markings and its size from related birds.
Breeds in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Red-and-white Crake egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Rufirallus fasciatus, Rufirallus leucopyrrhus, Rufirallus schomburgkii, Rufirallus viridis.
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Red-and-white Crake).
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 Rufous-necked Wood Rail (Aramides axillaris) egg, 45 × 33.55 mm

Rufous-necked Wood Rail

Aramides axillaris

  • 45 × 33.55 mm (approx.)
  • Clutch: 5 eggs
Breeds in Mexico, Central America (7 countries), Trinidad and Tobago and South America (7 countries)
show all 16Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
The Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago
South America: Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Creamy buff, spotted and blotched with reddish brown and pale lilac, mostly at the larger end (as in A. cajaneus).

Sources of information

Size
Schönwetter, M. 1961-1962. Handbuch der Oologie, pt 5 (p. 317), pt 6 (p. 343), quoted in Wetmore, A. 1965. The birds of the Republic of Panamá, part 1 (Tinamidae to Rynchopidae). Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 150(1)., p. 347.
Description
Wetmore 1965, The Birds of the Republic of Panamá, Part 1 (Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 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 Rufous-sided Crake (Laterallus melanophaius) egg, 31.5 × 23 mm

Rufous-sided Crake

Laterallus melanophaius

  • 31.5 × 23 mm
  • Clutch: up to 5 eggs
Breeds in South America (12 countries)
show all 12South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Creamy white with reddish-brown and some violet specks and small blotches all over.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 7 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 4, p. 24.
Description
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 4).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 4, p. 25.
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 Russet-crowned Crake (Rufirallus viridis) egg, 32.96 × 24.07 mm

Russet-crowned Crake

Rufirallus viridis

  • 32.96 × 24.07 mm (approx.)
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in South America (10 countries)
show all 10South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

White, unspotted, smooth and moderately glossy.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 50 eggs: Hellebrekers, W. P. J. 1942. Revision of the Penard oölogical collection from Surinam. Zoologische Mededelingen 24: 240–275., p. 244.
Description
Hellebrekers, W.Ph.J. (1942). Revision of the Penard oological collection from Surinam. Zoologische Mededelingen 24.
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 Russet-naped Wood Rail (Aramides albiventris) egg, 50.3 × 35.6 mm

Russet-naped Wood Rail

Aramides albiventris

  • 50.3 × 35.6 mm
Breeds in Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua

Creamy white to pinkish-grey, spotted and speckled reddish-brown and dark brown over pale purple shell marks; slight gloss.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 8 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 343.
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 Rusty-flanked Crake (Laterallus levraudi) egg, 29.2 × 21.8 mm

Rusty-flanked Crake

Laterallus levraudi

  • 29.2 × 21.8 mm (estimated)
  • Speculative: we haven't found a description of this egg (a source we checked reports it as undescribed), so we estimated its colours and markings and its size from related birds.
Breeds in Venezuela

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Ruddy Crake egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Laterallus albigularis, Laterallus exilis, Laterallus flaviventer, Laterallus jamaicensis, Laterallus melanophaius ….
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Ruddy Crake).
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 Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) egg, 96.2 × 61.4 mm

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

  • 96.2 × 61.4 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States, Caribbean islands

Pale brownish yellow to olive, with irregular brown or gray markings.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 43 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 245.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Sandhill Crane, 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 Slaty-breasted Wood Rail (Aramides saracura) egg, 50.8 × 36.2 mm

Slaty-breasted Wood Rail

Aramides saracura

  • 50.8 × 36.2 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay

Pinkish cream, spotted reddish-brown over pale purple (as A. albiventris).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 20 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 343.
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 Sora (Porzana carolina) egg, 31.5 × 22.5 mm

Sora

Porzana carolina

  • 31.5 × 22.5 mm
Breeds in Canada, United States, Mexico

Cream to cinnamon-colored with irregular brown spots.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 96 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 305.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Sora, 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 Speckled Rail (Laterallus notatus) egg, 25.7 × 19.8 mm

Speckled Rail

Laterallus notatus

  • 25.7 × 19.8 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 Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela

No documented description found yet; drawn like the Yellow-breasted Crake egg (same genus).

Sources of information

Size
Average of 10 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 347.
Description
Estimated, no description found: drawn like a related egg (Yellow-breasted Crake).
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 Spot-flanked Gallinule (Porphyriops melanops) egg, 41 × 29.1 mm

Spot-flanked Gallinule

Porphyriops melanops

  • 41 × 29.1 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay

Brownish buff, many chocolate-brown spots, specks and small blotches densest at the large end, few pale purple blotches, some twisted lines; glossy.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 82 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., pp. 348, 349.
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 4, p. 36.
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 Spotted Rail (Pardirallus maculatus) egg, 33 × 25 mm

Spotted Rail

Pardirallus maculatus

  • 33 × 25 mm
  • Clutch: up to 6–7 eggs
Breeds in Mexico, Central America (7 countries), the Caribbean and South America (10 countries)
show all 19Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
The Caribbean: Caribbean islands
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Cream with fine reddish specks sparsely over the whole surface.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 3 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 4, p. 50.
Description
de la Peña 2025 (Aves Argentinas tomo 4).
Drawing checked against a photo: de la Peña 2025, Aves Argentinas tomo 4, p. 50.
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 Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) egg, 42.8 × 34.2 mm

Sunbittern

Eurypyga helias

  • 42.8 × 34.2 mm
Breeds in Mexico, Central America (4 countries) and South America (9 countries)
show all 14Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Light pinkish cinnamon, slightly glossy, boldly blotched reddish brown with purplish underlying marks.

Sources of information

Size
Hellebrekers, W. P. J. 1942. Revision of the Penard oölogical collection from Surinam. Zoologische Mededelingen 24: 240–275., p. 244 (PDF p. 5).
Description
Hellebrekers 1942 (Zool. Meded. 24).
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 Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica) egg, 26.73 × 20.57 mm

Sungrebe

Heliornis fulica

  • 26.73 × 20.57 mm
  • Clutch: 3–4 eggs
Breeds in Mexico, Central America (7 countries) and South America (11 countries)
show all 19Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Buffy white, finely spotted all over with cinnamon and pale purple.

Sources of information

Size
Wetmore, A. 1965. The birds of the Republic of Panamá, part 1 (Tinamidae to Rynchopidae). Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 150(1)., p. 368.
Description
Wetmore 1965, The Birds of the Republic of Panamá, Part 1 (Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 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 an Uniform Crake (Amaurolimnas concolor) egg, 32.65 × 26.9 mm

Uniform Crake

Amaurolimnas concolor

  • 32.65 × 26.9 mm
Breeds in Mexico, Central America (6 countries) and South America (9 countries)
show all 16Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Pale buff with a faint cinnamon cast, slightly glossy, sparingly marked with small chestnut-brown and violet-grey spots.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 2 eggs: Wetmore, A. 1965. The birds of the Republic of Panamá, part 1 (Tinamidae to Rynchopidae). Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 150(1)., p. 341.
Description
Wetmore 1965, The Birds of the Republic of Panama, pt 1 (Smithson. Misc. Coll. 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 Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) egg, 32 × 24.5 mm

Virginia Rail

Rallus limicola

  • 32 × 24.5 mm
  • Clutch: 4–13 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

White or buff with sparse irregular gray or brown spotting.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 73 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 294.
Agrees with: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Virginia Rail, Life History.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Virginia Rail, 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 White-throated Crake (Laterallus albigularis) egg, 31.2 × 23.8 mm

White-throated Crake

Laterallus albigularis

  • 31.2 × 23.8 mm
  • Clutch: 3–5 eggs
Breeds in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela

Light creamy white with small scattered cinnamon, cinnamon-brown and lilac spots, more at the large end; no gloss.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 25 eggs: Schönwetter, M. 1960–1992. Handbuch der Oologie (ed. W. Meise), Lieferung 6. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin., p. 346.
Description
Wetmore, A. 1965. The Birds of the Republic of Panama, pt 1. Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 150, pp. 351-355.
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 White-winged Coot (Fulica leucoptera) egg, 48.79 × 34.12 mm

White-winged Coot

Fulica leucoptera

  • 48.79 × 34.12 mm
Breeds in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Falkland Islands, Paraguay, Uruguay

Ochre-buff, evenly speckled and spotted with dark chestnut and pale grey; almost glossless.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 78 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 4, p. 86.
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 4, p. 86.
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 Whooping Crane (Grus americana) egg, 98.4 × 62.4 mm

Whooping Crane

Grus americana

  • 98.4 × 62.4 mm
  • Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States

Light brown or olive with brown splotches.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 38 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 225.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Whooping Crane, 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 Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) egg, 28.3 × 20.7 mm

Yellow Rail

Coturnicops noveboracensis

  • 28.3 × 20.7 mm
  • Clutch: 4–10 eggs
Breeds in Canada, United States, Mexico

Creamy buff with dark reddish brown speckling.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 32 eggs: Bent, Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds (U.S. National Museum Bulletin 135, 1927), p. 320.
Description
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds: Yellow Rail, 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-breasted Crake (Laterallus flaviventer) egg, 24.86 × 18.12 mm

Yellow-breasted Crake

Laterallus flaviventer

  • 24.86 × 18.12 mm
  • Clutch: 3–7 eggs
Breeds in Mexico, Central America (7 countries), the Caribbean and South America (10 countries)
show all 20Mexico: Mexico
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
The Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean islands
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela

Cream, spotted and blotched with chestnut-brown and grey, darker toward the blunt end.

Sources of information

Size
Average of 5 eggs: Roda & Danti 2018, Primer registro de nido, huevos y pichón de Burrito Amarillo (Porzana flaviventer) en Argentina. Nuestras Aves 63: 51–52, pp. 51–52.
Description
Roda & Danti 2018, Primer registro de nido, huevos y pichón de Burrito Amarillo (Porzana flaviventer) en Argentina. Nuestras Aves 63: 51–52, pp. 51–52; supporting: Birds of Colombia: Polluela de Antifaz / Yellow-breasted Crake.
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 Zapata Rail (Mustelirallus cerverai) egg, 31.6 × 24.1 mm

Zapata RailExtinct

Mustelirallus cerverai

  • 31.6 × 24.1 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 Caribbean islands

White.

Sources of information

Size
Estimated, no measurements found: the median length and width of measured eggs of the same genus: Mustelirallus albicollis, Mustelirallus erythrops.
Description
Bond, J. et al. 2001 (as cited by Wikipedia), A Field Guide to Birds of the West Indies, p. 69 - via Wikipedia.
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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