starlings
1. Bird Name
The bird in focus is the Starling. It has the scientific (Latin) name of Sturnus vulgaris.
2. Appearance
Starlings have a rather striking appearance. They are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. Their adult plumage is glossy and metallic, often appearing black at first glance, with a sheen that is purplish-green in sunlight. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that it’s covered in white spots during the winter, and their beak is dark. As spring arrives, these spots wear away and the beak turns yellow. Starlings sport a short, square-ended tail and triangular wings that look sharp. They have dark brown eyes that seem to sparkle with intelligence. There isn’t much distinction between males and females visually, but males have longer throat feathers.
3. Size
An average Starling measures between 19-23 cm (7.4-9 inches) in length, boasts a wingspan that can reach 31-44 cm (12–17 inches) and weighs typically between 58-101 grams.
4. Habitat & Distribution
Starlings are cosmopolitan birds and are found in nearly every corner of the Earth, barring deserts, forests thick with trees and certain islands. Originally from Eurasia, the bird’s range has expanded to include Australia, New Zealand, North America, and South Africa, predominantly via intentional introduction. They prefer human-altered habitats, including city parks, suburban lawns, and agricultural fields.
5. Interesting Facts
Starlings are mimics and can imitate the songs of at least 20 different bird species. They are among the few species that can recognize themselves in a mirror. In addition, they engage in astonishing, ballet-like airborne displays (murmurations) in the thousands or even millions. These sky dances can be mesmerizing to watch and are a way starlings communicate with each other.
6. Diet
Starlings have a rather omnivorous diet which includes invertebrates, berries and fruits, seeds, nectar, as well as discarded human food in urban areas.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Starlings are gregarious birds, known for their robust flocking behavior and highly social nature. They are quite vocal and emit a variety of sounds that include songs, calls, whistles, and imitations of other bird songs. Their typical contact call when in flocks is a harsh, screeching whistle.
8. Conservation Status
Starlings according to the IUCN Red List, are a species of least concern, due to their wide geographic distribution and incredibly large population.
9. Lifespan
In the wild, starlings typically live to be around 2-3 years old. However, some can live noticeably longer with the oldest recorded European Starling living up to 22 years and 11 months.
10. Additional Notes
In Holland, starlings are known as “Spreeuw,” while in Italy, they’re called “Storno.” Starlings interact with humans primarily due to their fondness of cultivated areas and thus, have been known to cause significant damage to crops. However, they play an important role in ecosystems as dispersers of seeds and controlling insect populations. Despite some views of them as pests, their dramatic murmurations and charming mimicry skills continue to endear these little birds to birdwatchers and enthusiasts.
