Eating Egg – Shells

The moment a birds eggs hatch is a very dangerous time for lots of birds especially Hawks, Owls and Nightjars. Any egg-shells left around the nest would give the nest away to predators like Crows and Foxes. The incubating bird does not want to leave its newly emerged young so there is only one alternative – eat the egg-shells! Over the years I  have witnessed this event many times with Owls, Hen Harriers and even this weeks Nightjar disposing of the unwanted egg-shell. Click here to see the Gallery.