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The common starling (Sturnus vulgaris), also known as the European starling in North America and simply as the starling in Great Britain and Ireland, is a medium-sized passerine bird in the starling family, Sturnidae.
First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills.
May 31, 2024 · The common starling is a sturdy bird about 21.5 cm (about 8.5 inches) in length. Its plumage is primarily black, with an iridescent sheen that colours the feathers purple and green in certain lights. After moulting in the late summer and fall, it takes on a brown and white speckled appearance.
Starlings are small dark songbirds that vary in color through the seasons. They are upright birds with sharply pointed bills, long legs, and large feet. Starlings are shy and alert and they forage by walking, rather than hopping. Adult males are handsome birds in the breeding season.
The common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) has iridescent plumage. Starlings are medium-sized passerines. The shortest-bodied species is Kenrick's starling (Poeoptera kenricki), at 15 cm (6 in), but the lightest-weight species is Abbott's starling (Poeoptera femoralis), which is 34 g (1 + 1 ⁄ 4 oz).
Native to Europe, but introduced into New York's Central Park in the late 1890s, European Starling is one of North America's most common birds, with an estimated 200 million individuals.
Often regarded as a pest, the Starling wins our grudging admiration for its adaptability, toughness, and seeming intelligence. Brought to North America in 1890, it has spread to occupy most of the continent, and is now abundant in many areas.
The Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a medium-sized passerine bird in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is a noisy bird, especially in communal roosts and other gregarious situations, with an unmusical but varied song.
Explore Common Starling. Exotic species. Stocky and dark overall with short tail and triangular wings. A close look reveals beautiful plumage: in breeding season, look for purple and green iridescence and a yellow bill. In winter, shows extensive white and buffy spots over the entire body.
First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills.
