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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.
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.
Learn about the European Starling, a common and adaptable bird in North America, with photos, range maps, songs, and behavior. Find out how climate change may affect its survival and distribution.
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.
- European Starling Facts
- What Does A European Starling Look like?
- Juvenile European Starling
- European Starling Nests
- What Do Starlings Eat?
- Starling Murmuration
- Do Starlings Migrate?
- European Starling Songs and Sounds
- Do Starling Sightings Have Meaning?
Starlings are originally from Europe and Asia. One hundred European starlings were were released into New York City’s Central Park in 1890 and ’91 as part of an attempt to bring all of the birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays to America. Today, more than 200 million starlings populate the continent and they thrive in cities. The European starling...
I saw this bird in Boston, and I was amazed by its coloring. What is it? asks Theresa St. John of Saratoga Springs, New York. Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman: Many people don’t realize just how colorful the European starling can be, but you’ve captured a perfect portrait of an adult starling in very fresh plumage. Those reflections of purple and green ar...
Katherine Marshaleck of Narberth, Pennsylvania, snapped this photo (above) of fledglingstarlings. They are pale brown birds, unlike the colorful adults. Psst—we found more pictures of super cute baby birds you need to see.
Starlings are smart, adaptable and tough. Unfortunately, they’ve thrived at the expense of some native birds, taking over cavity nesting sites and nest boxes from woodpeckers, bluebirds and other species. Most birds and their nests are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which states that it is illegalto take, possess, import, export, trans...
If you see a starling stabbing its bill into the ground, it’s looking for insects for its next meal. These birds also eat berries and seeds. Highly aggressive when it comes to bird feeders, starlings have a bad reputation. These boisterous birds love suet. It not unusual for them to consume an entire suet cake in one day. Look for starling-proof up...
Starlings fly in large flocks and create amazing whirling balls in the sky. This phenomenon is called a murmuration. They may also flock with grackles and red-winged blackbirds. “There were hundreds of these birds stripping nearby berry bushesone September morning. After I took this photo (above), I was surprised to learn that these birds are young...
Many U.S. birders can see starlings year-round, but in non-breeding season some northern birds migrate short distances to warmer southern locations. Discover the secrets of bird migration.
The European starling is an incredible singer. Best of all, starlings begin singing in winter, just when it feels like spring will never come. Male starlings can also mimicthe sounds of other birds. Check out the top songbirds in America.
Some people say that a starling is a symbol of family or other close relationships. Others see the birds as a sign of unity or cooperation. This may be because the birds are known for flocking together in large groups. In the 2021 movie “The Starling”, Melissa McCarthy plays a grieving mother who is confronted by an aggressive starling as she attem...
Learn about the history, impact, and distribution of the European starling, a non-native bird introduced to the U.S. in 1890. Find resources, maps, and articles on this invasive species.
Identification. POWERED BY MERLIN. 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.
