Common starling

File:Sturnus vulgaris.ogg

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Juvenile European starling (10739)

Sturnus vulgaris -California-8

File:Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) (W1CDR0001431 BD8).ogg

Birdsinging03182006

Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), also known as the European Starling in North America or simply the Starling in the British Isles, is a passerine bird in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is about 20 cm (8 in) long and has a wingspan of 31–44 cm (12–17 in). The adult has glossy black plumage with a metallic sheen, which is speckled with white at certain times of year. The legs are pink and the bill is black in winter and yellow in summer; juveniles are duller and browner than the adults. The Common Starling is native to most of Europe and western Asia. It has been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, and Fiji, usually by deliberate releases, but has become a pest in some of these countries because it competes with native birds for nest holes and food.

Description

The Common Starling is robust and has a strong flight, capable of rapid maneuvers as well as soaring. It walks rather than hops and has a distinctive flight pattern. When flying in a flock, the starlings form a tight, cohesive group that can rapidly change shape, often described as a murmuration. These murmurations, especially at dusk, are a spectacular sight, with massive groups of birds moving fluidly in the sky, seemingly coordinated as one.

Habitat and Distribution

The Common Starling prefers open areas that are grazed by livestock or other disturbances that create bare patches of ground, which makes it easier to find food. It is also found in urban areas, where it can nest in buildings and forage for food in parks and gardens. The bird's natural range extends from the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia to the north of Africa, eastwards towards western China and southwards to the Himalayas.

Behaviour

Common Starlings are highly social and will form large flocks outside the breeding season. They are omnivorous, their diet consisting of insects, earthworms, berries, and seeds. The species is known for its problem-solving abilities and its capacity to mimic a wide range of sounds, including the calls of other birds.

Reproduction

The breeding season begins in spring. Common Starlings are monogamous and nest in cavities, such as tree holes, cliff crevices, and even in buildings. The female lays four to six light blue eggs, and both parents participate in feeding the chicks. The young fledge in about three weeks.

Conservation Status

Globally, the Common Starling is considered to be of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), due to its large range and population size. However, in some parts of its range, populations have been declining due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices.

Impact as an Invasive Species

In regions where it has been introduced, the Common Starling can have negative impacts on native wildlife, competing for nesting sites and food resources. It is often regarded as a pest species due to its effect on agriculture and native bird populations.