Clutch

A sea turtle clutch.

A clutch of eggs refers to all the eggs produced by birds or reptiles often at a single time, particularly those laid in a nest.

Size

Clutch size will differ greatly between species, sometimes even within the same genus. It may also differ within the same species due to many factors including habitat, health, nutrition, predation pressures, and time of year^[1]. Clutch size variation can also reflect variation in optimal reproduction effort. Long lived species tend to have smaller clutch sizes than short lived species (see also r/K selection theory). The evolution of optimal clutch size is also driven by other factors such as parent-offspring conflict.

Clutch size recorded in ornithological field notes may or may not include lost or broken eggs.

Gallery

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), very large clutch or possibly from two females	Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), small clutch	Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), typical clutch	Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), small clutch
Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina), typical clutch	Feral Pigeon (Columba livia domestica), typical clutch	European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), typical clutch	European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), large clutch

See also

• Oology (the scientific study of eggs)
• Vivipary
• Nest

References

1. ^ Lack, David (1947): The significance of clutch-size (part I-II). Ibis 89: 302-352

This article about ornithology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This reptile article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This dinosaur-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e