Expert: Roger Lederer - 4/18/2007

Question
I have had a pair of birds(Dove or Pigeon?)build a nest under a concrete bench on my third floor balcony. There is ONLY 1 egg in it. Is this not a carrier Pigeon? There markings are a iridescent teal green head/neck with a hint of mauve. Then the body is a soft grey color with black wings and tail feathers. The feet are red. I am also concern that every time I approach to peep out the glass balcony door that it leaves the egg and flies across to the roof on the other side. How long before the egg hatches?

Answer
This is a Rock Pigeon - the common city pigeon. In WWI they were used as "carrier pigeons" but no more. They usually lay two eggs. THe egg or eggs should hatch in two weeks or so and the young will be in the nest for another two weeks after that. Every time it leaves the nest because of disturbance, there is a chance the egg will cool down so much it will not hatch. Depends on how often this happens, how long the adult is off the nest, and the outside temperature. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com