What bird species laid these eggs in my garden?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying a clutch of eggs found in a garden in Toronto. Participants explore potential bird species that could have laid the eggs, considering various characteristics such as size, color, and location. The conversation includes observations about the eggs' condition and possible abandonment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the eggs as solid white with a faint tinge of green, measuring 55mm long and 40mm in diameter, and notes their chicken egg-like shape.
  • Another participant suggests that the eggs could belong to a Mallard duck, citing specifications that match the description and mentioning the presence of ducks in the area.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential abandonment of the eggs, with one participant noting a lack of bird activity in the garden.
  • Questions are posed regarding whether the eggs were warm, with a participant confirming they were warm due to the weather conditions.
  • Participants engage in a discussion about the appearance of the eggs, with one comparing them to aggie marbles and another asserting they resemble grocery store eggs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the identification of the eggs, with some supporting the Mallard hypothesis while others question the likelihood of abandonment. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact species and condition of the eggs.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the eggs' history and the absence of a nest, as well as the potential for misidentification based on visual similarities to other eggs.

DaveC426913
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Found this clutch of eggs in my front garden today, not 2 yards from the sidewalk.
Have never seen any large bird take an interest in garden.

Count: 3
Colour: solid white, maybe a faint tinge of green, like the heron egg in this pic. No speckles. Matte finish.
Size: 55mm long, 40mm in diameter*
Shape: Pretty chicken egg shaped - a pointy end and a round end
Nest: None. Just nestled into the mulch of my flower bed.
Location: Toronto, 200 yards from L. Ontario shore parkland.
Time: Late July

* so, a little smaller than a chicken egg (62x45). Too small to be duck; way too small to be goose.
 
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I think they've been abandoned. I've never seen any bird near my front garden. For all I know, they've been there since spring.
 
Are/were the eggs warm?
 
BillTre said:
Are/were the eggs warm?
Well, it's about 27C (80F) here and - while it's a pretty hazy day - there's still direct sun, so they're warm like everything else is warm.
 
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DaveC426913 said:
maybe a faint tinge of green, like the heron egg in this pic. No speckles. Matte finish.
So, don't you have a pic of the ones you found?
 
dlgoff said:
So, don't you have a pic of the ones you found?
Well oops.

Attached.
(Yes, I moved one and put it back. Don't judge me.)
 

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dlgoff said:
The one on the left reminds me of aggie marbles.
?? They're solid white with no markings. They could pass for eggs from the grocery store.
 
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DaveC426913 said:
?? They're solid white with no markings. They could pass for eggs from the grocery store.
Okay. The one on the left looked like it had some colored markings on it.