Knowledgebase

What animal lays a single egg on the ground? #824306

Asked April 03, 2023, 11:13 AM EDT

Hi Extension, I found an egg laid on the ground in my yard. It doesn't look like it was dropped because it seemed to have been half-buried. What kind of animal lays a single egg on the ground? It's about the size of a chicken egg. Thanks.

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

We think this might indeed be a chicken egg or something similar (from a large-ish bird, that is) that a predator like a fox might have run off with to bury and was interrupted. Reptile eggs (snakes, turtles) would not only likely be smaller but would be laid in clusters and likely in a more sheltered spot. We are consulting with a wildlife specialist to see if he has any ideas and will respond again as soon as we have more guesses.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 06, 2023, 1:04 PM EDT

I agree with Miri. I've also seen escaped domestic ducks lay eggs in unexpected places, so it could be a domestic duck egg in addition to a chicken egg.  If you can send more photos, we may be able to help more.

Thank you,

Luke

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 07, 2023, 2:43 PM EDT
Hi Luke and Miri,

Thanks for weighing in, I've attached a few more pictures of the egg.  When I measure it, it seems bigger than a normal chicken egg.  It's also very uniformly white, there doesn't seem to be any markings or patterns.  My mowers are supposed to start mowing later this week, so I will move it off to a nearby mulch bed.  Will whatever is inside hatch if there's no bird sitting on it?  Thanks.

Regards,
William

On Fri, Apr 7, 2023 at 2:43 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied April 10, 2023, 5:39 PM EDT

It looks like it could be a duck egg.  I feel quite confident if it's been sitting out unincubated that it will not hatch. You can check to see if it was fertile by putting a flashlight behind it and looking for arteries and veins inside, or if it is pretty opaque.  

Best,

Luke  

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 11, 2023, 11:39 AM EDT
Hi Luke and Miri,

There doesn't seem to be arteries and veins when illuminated, there is a mass in the middle which I assume must be the yolk.  Very interesting, I left it by the mulch area so we'll see if the fox comes back for it, although it's been several days.  Thanks!

Regards,
William

On Tue, Apr 11, 2023 at 11:39 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied April 11, 2023, 1:34 PM EDT

Yeah, looks like the yolk.  Take care,

Luke

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 11, 2023, 5:39 PM EDT

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