Robins typically sit on their eggs, incubating them for about 12 to 14 days from the time the last egg is laid
. During this incubation period, the female robin does most or all of the sitting, rarely leaving the nest for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time
. The female develops a brood patch, a featherless area on her belly, to keep the eggs warm with direct skin contact
. The incubation begins once the clutch is complete, with the female sometimes starting to incubate after laying the second or third egg but fully committing after the last egg is laid to ensure simultaneous hatching
. The eggs are usually a bright sky blue color and are laid one per day until the clutch is complete, typically 3 to 5 eggs
. In summary:
- Incubation period: 12–14 days
- Female incubates almost continuously, leaving briefly only for short breaks
- Eggs are laid one per day, incubation starts mainly after the last egg is laid
- Clutch size: usually 3–5 eggs
This careful incubation ensures the eggs hatch around the same time, with chicks then remaining in the nest about 13 days before fledging
