starling

1. Bird Name
Starling, scientific name akin to Sturnus vulgaris. Other names include the ‘common starling’ or ‘European starling.’

2. Appearance
The starling has a distinctive, iridescent plumage that gleams purplish-green in daylight, speckled with white at certain times of the year. The eye color is dark, the beak is sharp and yellow, and the legs are reddish-brown. The feathers are somewhat short, leading to a sleek, streamlined appearance. The male and female starlings are hard to distinguish at first glance, however, during the breeding season, the male’s beak turns blue at the base.

3. Size
The Average length of an adult starling is 20-22 cm/ 7.9-8.7 inches. Starlings have a wingspan measuring around 31-44 cm/ 12-17 inches. These birds weigh around 60-90 grams, making them about the size of a blackbird.

4. Habitat & Distribution
Starlings are a common sight in Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. These birds prefer open areas with scattered trees and shrubs, such as gardens, orchards, and parklands. They are also widespread in urban areas where they roost on roof-tops and fly out to surrounding farmland to feed. They have also been introduced in other places, like North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

5. Interesting Facts
One of the most interesting facts about starlings is their ability to mimic the sounds of other birds and even man-made noises such as car alarms or phones ringing. They are also known for their breathtakingly coordinated mass movements called “murmurations” where thousands of starlings swarm together creating intricate patterns in the sky. Cultural significance includes their presence in Shakespeare’s plays, which led to them being released in America.

6. Diet
Starlings have a diverse diet consisting of insects, earthworms, berries, and fruits. They are opportunistic feeders and also consume human food waste.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Starlings are gregarious birds, often seen in large flocks. They are known for their complex social structures and astonishingly coordinated swooping flight patterns. Male starlings perform intricate courtship displays including singing, fluffing their feathers, and wing-dropping. Their sounds vary from a melodic song to a harsh chattering.

8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the starling is of “Least Concern.” However, despite robust global population figures, Starlings have been seeing rapid declines in some parts of their native range, including the UK where they are red-listed as a bird of conservation concern.

9. Lifespan
A starling typically lives up to 5 years in the wild, though maximum longevity records report ages up to 22 years in the wild and 15 years in captivity.

10. Additional Notes
In Dutch, the starling is called “Spreeuw”. Starlings can affect human activities negatively by damaging crops and spreading diseases but they also play a vital role in controlling insect populations. Their unique nesting habits, involving the occupation of man-made structures, make them a familiar species to many around the world.