 Early in the breeding season , as many as 11 days may transpire between the completion of the nest and the laying of the first egg . Later in the season , this time decreases so that the first egg is laid as soon as the nest is ready . The female normally lays three eggs , though clutches of up to four have been recorded . The eggs , which are variously described as pale pink with evenly distributed brown spots or white with cinnamon and rust spots densely ringing the larger end of the egg , measure 16 – 17 mm ( 0 @.@ 63 – 0 @.@ 67 in ) by 13 mm ( 0 @.@ 51 in ) and weigh 1 – 1 @.@ 4 g ( 0 @.@ 035 – 0 @.@ 049 oz ) . The female alone incubates the eggs for 16 days ; the male does not even approach the nest until several days after the eggs hatch . She sits facing the back wall of the nest , with her head and body sheltered by its roof and her tail sticking out the opening . She sits tight at the approach of danger , typically not flying until a potential predator actually makes contact with the nest . 
