Eggs in November? (1 Viewer)

[notrub]

I've just built a new shed - it's close to the building (a 4 storey affair) and right underneath a spot where the gutter is blocked - you can see the vegetation from the ground level, but I also know birds have nested up there.

Last week I discovered a broken egg on the shed roof - it was a small thin shelled egg, so clearly not someone pranking me. Today another.

What can be going on? If it was spring I'd think Cuckoo, but it's November!

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Possibly a Collared Dove. They seem to nest any old time. I've seen them incubating in January, so why not November?!

 

[Mono]

Agreed with Collared Dove. Pigeons and Doves can grind up seeds to make "crop milk" and thus are not dependant on squishy insect larva being around.

 

[notrub]

Ah - that makes sense - there are collared doves around here. Thanks

 

[Nutcracker]

Depending on the definition of 'small', Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, and House Sparrow are also all possible as regular year-round breeders.

My assumption would be the egg has been taken and emptied by a Magpie or Crow, but discard from a hatched chick is also possible.

 

[notrub]

I estimate (from size of the mess and the shell fragments), somewhere between 3/4" and 1.5" in diameter.
The eggs were both fresh - i.e. there was yolk splatter, so def not a newly hatched chick.

 

[Nutcracker]

Ewww, archaic measures! What's that in cm, please!!
Feral Pigeon 3.5-4 cm long, 2.5-3 cm diameter
Woodpigeon 4-4.5 cm long, 2.5-3 cm diameter
Collared Dove 2.5-3.5 cm long, 2-2.5 cm diameter
House Sparrow 2 cm long, 1.5 cm diameter

Does sound like raided by a Magpie or Crow.

 

[John Tindale]

What colour was the egg? If white we can eliminate House Sparrow!