Top 10 Birds That Lay Eggs

The color of bird eggs varies greatly from species to species. Some bird eggs have spots or speckles, while others are pure white or brown. The color of bird eggs can serve a variety of purposes, including camouflage and signaling to potential predators. For example, ground-nesting bird eggs often have spots or speckles, which helps them blend into their surroundings and avoid being discovered by predators.

Do you know which birds have the strongest reproductive capacity? This article will introduce you to the ten most fertile birds in the world, namely, the Ten Sisters Munia, the Gray Partridge, the Budgie, the Great Tits, the Cockatiels, the Lovebirds, the Canaries, the Pearl Birds, the Magpies, and the Colorful Munia.

Among them, the Ten Sisters Munia is known as the most fertile bird in the world, and can lay eggs five to six times a year. Next, let’s learn about the amazing reproductive abilities of these birds.

1. Ten Sisters Bird

Ten Sisters(Scientific name：Lonchura striata domestica) is a bird of the order Passeriformes. The adult bird is 10-12cm long and weighs 13-15g. It is the result of a hybridization between the white-rumped munia and other Estrildidae birds. It is native to China and Japan. It was introduced to Europe in the mid-19th century. It has now become one of the important pet bird species.

The Ten Sisters Munia is one of the most fertile birds and is a highly productive bird species. The female bird can start incubating eggs when it is three months old, and there is no fixed season for their egg-laying period. Usually, they can lay eggs five to six times a year, with five to six eggs each time. Although the original feathers of the Ten Sisters Munia are not particularly gorgeous, they are loved by people for their lively posture, close and harmonious family relationships, and easy domestication. In addition, the Ten Sisters Munia has a strong nesting ability and is the best at raising chicks among all small birds. They are known as excellent "nanny birds".

2. Gray Mountain Quail

The Gray Mountain Quail is another bird with extremely strong reproductive ability. Although it is different from the high-frequency egg-laying of the Ten Sisters Munia, the Gray Mountain Quail is a highly productive bird species. Gray quail usually lay 10 to 20 eggs per nest, up to 26 eggs. They lay an egg almost every day. The egg is gray or gray-green in color, 32-39×24-29 mm in size, and weighs 9-13 grams.

The incubation work is shared by the male and female, or the female incubates the eggs while the male is responsible for guarding the nest area. The incubation period is usually 21 to 26 days. The chicks can follow the parents soon after hatching until autumn. They usually live in pairs or small family groups.

3. Budgies

Budgies are one of the most common parrots in the world. They are popular among the public because of their affordable price and naughty and cute personality. There are more than 5 million budgies in the world. Artificially raised budgies have a very strong reproductive capacity. From October to June of the following year, they can lay eggs and hatch 3 to 4 nests of chicks. Each nest usually produces 4 to 7 eggs, up to 10 eggs, with pure white eggshells weighing about 2.5 grams and an incubation period of about 18 days. 

The chicks stay in the nest for 34 to 38 days and begin to live independently at about 40 days. The young birds are sexually mature at 6 to 8 months and begin courtship and reproduction. The best breeding age is 1 to 5 years old.

4. Great tit

The great tit is one of the common birds and is known for its strong reproductive capacity. The breeding season of the great tit is usually from April to August. In the southern region, it sometimes starts breeding in March, but in most cases, they start nesting between April and May. Every year, great tits usually breed 1 to 2 nests, with 6 to 13 eggs per nest, 6 to 9 eggs are common, and sometimes up to 15 eggs. 

Each egg is about 16-18 mm × 12-14.3 mm in size, with an average size of 17.7 mm × 13.9 mm, and weighs between 0.8 and 2.0 grams, with an average of 1.4 grams. Great tits generally lay one egg a day, and the eggs are usually laid in the early morning. When all the eggs are laid, they will start incubating immediately, and sometimes they will start incubating the eggs one day after the last egg is laid.

5. Cockatiels

Cockatiels, also known as cockatiels, are usually called cockatiels in China. They are one of the most common medium-sized parrots in the world. Cockatiels can breed almost at any time of the year, mainly depending on suitable climatic conditions. In the right environment, they may even go through a continuous breeding cycle. 

Cockatiels in captivity generally lay 4 to 5 eggs per nest, sometimes up to 8. The incubation period is usually 18 to 19 days, and the chicks begin to become young birds about 33 days after hatching. After this, the young birds usually need to continue to be fed by their parents for about three weeks.

6. Lovebirds

Lovebirds, also known as lovebirds, are a general term for all species in the genus Lovebirds. They have a very strong reproductive capacity and can breed almost all year round, although the main breeding season is from February to March and April to October. 

Usually, only the female bird is responsible for incubating the eggs, with 4 to 6 eggs per nest, and can breed 2 to 4 nests per year. Lovebirds are named for their affectionate nature, and they are inseparable from their partners, often staying together for life.

7. Canary

The canary, also known as the hibiscus bird, white swallow or jade bird, is one of the most popular and precious ornamental birds at home and abroad. Canaries are also very fertile. Artificially raised canaries can usually breed 3 to 4 nests in a row, with 4 to 6 eggs per nest. Most female birds will re-mate and lay eggs about 12 to 21 days after the chicks hatch. 

The chicks will begin to leave the nest and be trained to feed themselves at about 25 days old, and can live independently at 1 month old. After 6 months of feeding, canaries will begin to sing and usually reach sexual maturity at 9 to 10 months.

8. Pearl Bird

Pearl bird, scientific name zebra finch, also known as flank grass finch, brocade flower bird, brocade flower bird, small pearl or brocade flower bird, is another name for Jinshan pearl. Although the pearl bird is small in size, it is very strong, disease-resistant and adaptable. It can tolerate relatively rough breeding conditions, so its reproductive capacity is also very strong, and it can usually reproduce smoothly under normal breeding conditions. 

Pearl birds can start laying eggs at 3 to 4 months old, usually 4 to 6 eggs per nest, and they will start to hatch when 3 to 4 eggs are laid. As long as the light is avoided to be too strong, the pearl bird can continue to lay eggs.

9. Magpie

Magpies are regarded as a symbol of good luck in China, and there has always been a tradition of "drawing magpies to indicate good luck". Magpies are also very capable of reproduction among birds. Magpies usually breed one nest per year, with 5 to 8 eggs per nest, sometimes up to 11 eggs, usually one egg per day, and most of them are laid in the early morning. After all the eggs are laid, the female bird will begin to incubate, and the incubation period is about 17 days. 

The newly hatched chicks are naked and pink, and the male and female parents will raise the chicks together. After about 30 days, the chicks can leave the nest.

10. Colorful Munia

Colorful Munia, also known as the Five-colored Munia and the Gouldian Bird, is a beautiful bird native to northern Australia. It is covered with colorful feathers and is lively and agile. It is a widely loved ornamental bird. 

Colorful Munia has a very strong reproductive capacity. From October to April of the following year, the adult colorful munia enters the breeding period after completing the molting. After mating, the female bird can lay eggs, 4 to 6 eggs per nest, and start incubation after laying 3 eggs. After about 16 days of incubation, the chicks will hatch.

The list of the top ten most reproductive birds in the world is based on the comprehensive compilation of multiple related websites, and is ranked and recommended based on the number of eggs laid per nest and the number of eggs laid per year of various birds. For reference only. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave comments or criticisms in the comment section.

animal tags： Birds-Eggs