Pigeon eggs

Question
Hi a wild pigeon has laid a single egg in a planter onm my g/friends balcony, we don't want to disturb the process but have noticed some inconsistant traits, such as the pigeons roost elsewhere at night, surely this would cause the egg to die due to the very cold temp's here at night. During the day both pigeons take turns on sitting on the single egg.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Michael

Answer
Hi, Michael,

You're right.  An egg has to be incubated 24/7 once incubation begins.  If they are incubating during the day but not at night, the egg most likely won't hatch.  However, some birds don't start incubating full-time until a second egg has been laid.  A second egg is usually laid 2 days after the first egg was laid.  If it's been more than 2 days since the first egg was laid, perhaps a second egg isn't coming (or was accidently laid elsewhere).  Could be they have 2 nests and one egg is in one nest and the second in this nest.  Regardless, an egg has to be continually incubated 24/7 in order to develop properly and hatch.

Chrys