Egg laying occurs no sooner than 18 days after copulation, with most egg laying occurring in March.[1]:73, 76 Under favorable conditions, eggs may be laid as early as mid January,[10]:73 but egg laying is delayed at higher elevations.[2] Heavy seasonal rainfall can extend breeding: young have been recorded in nests as late as August.[3] Cactus wrens usually lay three or four eggs (although as many as seven have been recorded) which are smooth and ovate, colored white to pale pink[3] and covered in brown speckles.