The egg is oblong in shape, similar to that of a chicken. The egg is usually chalky white, but may be pale blue immediately after it is laid. Females have been known to lay two eggs, but it is rare for both to hatch. If an egg is lost early in incubation, a second replacement egg may be laid. This process is called double clutching.
Incubation begins soon after the egg is laid.
The incubation period is between 26 and 31 days. Both the male and female take turns incubating the egg by sitting on top of the nest mound. During incubation, flamingos will stand, stretch their wings, and preen themselves frequently. A parent bird carefully lifts and turns the egg with its bill. Eggs that fall from the nesting mound are not retrieved.