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Description: Since the early 1890’s when a group of people released about 100 Starlings in New York, the Starling has become one of the most numerous birds in North America. The European Starling used to be a favorite caged bird because it sings well and can imitate a lot of sounds. They're found from Alaska to Florida to northern Mexico, and their population is now estimated to be over 200 million. The European Starling is an aggressive, highly social species that travels in large, noisy flocks. Starlings are intelligent and adaptable, and capable mimics.

 

Other Names: None

 

Color: The European Starling is a medium sized, black songbird with short tail and wings and spotted plumage. It has iridescent, green-glossed feathers covering the back, nape and breast. The male is larger, more iridescent than the female and has longer throat feathers. The adult in full breeding plumage has a thin, pointed, yellow bill. Juveniles are drab gray-brown overall. Males and females look alike. The name "Starling" means "little star" referring to the off-white spots on the Starling's plumage.

 

Sound: The European Starling’s song is a quiet series of whistled notes that normally contain mimicry of other bird species, other sounds in their environment and human voices. Its flight call is a purring “prurrp.” Listen:

 

Preferred Environment: The European Starling is found in a variety of habitats with the exception of undisturbed or undeveloped land. Starlings prefer open country, developed lawns and fields and trees for nesting. They like to be near people, and in agricultural and urban areas.

 

Nesting Habits: The European Starling is a “cavity nester”. They begin nesting early in the breeding season. The male establishes territories and chooses nesting sites, then attracts females. They build their nests in cavities 2-60 feet above ground and filled with grass or pine needles and other items, such as feathers, paper, plastic, string and rootlets.

Food Preference: In nature, European Starlings feed on a diet of invertebrates, berries and other fruit, grains, and seeds. At feeders, theyfeed on nijer, cracked corn, suet and white millet and just about any other seeds.