The time it takes for a bird egg to hatch varies widely depending on the species, but generally:
- Small songbirds typically incubate their eggs for about 10 to 14 days before hatching
- Medium-sized birds like woodpeckers and pigeons may take around 12 to 18 days
- Ducks and chickens usually have incubation periods of about 21 to 28 days, with some variation depending on the species
- Larger birds such as raptors (eagles, hawks, owls) can take from 30 to 50 days to hatch
- Very large seabirds like albatrosses may incubate eggs for up to 80 days or more
Incubation involves the parent bird keeping the eggs warm, typically between 85-104°F (29-40°C), often by sitting on them to provide body heat
. Some species start incubating after laying the first egg, causing eggs to hatch sequentially, while others wait until the entire clutch is laid so eggs hatch simultaneously
. In summary, bird egg incubation periods range roughly from 10 days for small birds to up to 80 days for the largest species, with most common backyard birds hatching within 10 to 30 days
