Breeding season

This article covers the season. The period of incubation see Incubation period .

In ornithology, the breeding season is the season in which a certain species begins to reproduce . The embryos in the eggs need uniform temperatures for their development, which are usually higher than the ambient temperatures. As warm-blooded animals , the birds can initiate (start) and maintain the development of the embryos with their body heat . In addition, the parent birds sit on the nest for the entire incubation period and ensure that the eggs are kept at an even temperature. After the chicks are sufficiently developed and viable, they break through the eggshell and hatch.