Bird eggs take varying amounts of time to hatch depending on the species. Generally, smaller birds like songbirds incubate their eggs for about 10 to 14 days before hatching, while larger birds may take anywhere from three weeks to a month or more. For example, robins incubate their eggs for about 13 days, crows for around 18 days, and bald eagles for about 40 days
. After hatching, the time it takes for baby birds to leave the nest (fledge) also varies widely by species. Small songbirds typically stay in the nest for about 8 to 14 days after hatching before they are ready to leave. Some species, like Baltimore orioles and bluebirds, leave the nest between two and three weeks old. Larger birds such as woodpeckers may take 3 weeks to a month to fledge, and very large birds like eagles and condors can remain in the nest for several months (e.g., bald eagles about 70 days, California condors up to 180 days)
. In summary:
- Incubation period (egg to hatching):
- Small songbirds: ~10–14 days
- Medium birds (e.g., crows): ~18 days
- Large birds (e.g., bald eagles): ~40 days or more
- Nestling period (hatching to leaving nest):
- Small songbirds: ~8–14 days
- Some medium birds: 2–3 weeks
- Large birds: several weeks to months (up to 70–180 days in some species)
This variation is influenced by bird size, developmental type (altricial vs. precocial), and species-specific life history traits
