European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris): The Social and Fascinating Bird
The European Starling reveals a spectacularly iridescent plumage in the right light.
Introduction to the European Starling
Look, I get it – nobody's throwing a welcome party for these feathered loudmouths. The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) basically shows up uninvited, makes a racket, and acts like they own the place. Most folks see them as flying headaches, the kind of birds that crash your backyard barbecue and refuse to leave. But hang on a second – if you can get past all that attitude, you're actually staring at one of the coolest birds on the planet. Picture this: in the dead of winter, they're rocking these sleek black outfits peppered with golden flecks, like someone scattered glitter across midnight. Then spring rolls around, and boom – suddenly they're wearing these incredible iridescent jackets that flash emerald and violet in the sunlight. It's like watching Clark Kent turn into Superman. But the real showstopper? Their get-togethers. We're talking thousands of starlings moving as one massive, shape-shifting cloud across the sky. It's pure poetry in motion, the kind of spectacle that makes you forget to breathe. Yeah, they might be obnoxious neighbors, but man, do they know how to steal the show.
Identification: A Changing Plumage
Identifying a European Starling is straightforward, but its appearance changes dramatically with the seasons.
Winter vs. Breeding Plumage
In winter, its plumage is black with some gloss, but it is heavily speckled with small white or cream-colored spots, giving it a "starry" look. Its bill is dark, almost black. In the spring, the light tips of the feathers wear away, revealing a stunning breeding plumage: glossy black with intense green and purple iridescent sheens. The bill turns bright yellow. Females tend to be slightly less glossy than males, with a pinkish base on the lower mandible.
The Juvenile
A young starling looks very different. It has a uniform, drab grayish-brown plumage with no iridescence and a dark bill. They are often seen in noisy flocks after leaving the nest.
Size and Build
Length: Approx. 7.9-9.1 in (20-23 cm).
Wingspan: Approx. 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm).
Weight: Approx. 2.1-3.4 oz (60-96 g).
It is a stocky bird with a short, square tail and pointed, triangular wings that are very noticeable in flight.
Behavior: Flocks and Murmurations
The most captivating aspect of the starling is undoubtedly its social behavior.
Murmurations are aerial ballets that can involve hundreds of thousands of starlings.
Murmurations
In the late afternoon, especially in the fall and winter, starlings gather in vast flocks to head to their roosts. Before settling down, they perform incredibly complex and fluid synchronized flights, known as "murmurations." These shifting clouds of birds serve both to protect against predators (like the Peregrine Falcon) and to exchange information.
A Highly Social Bird
Starlings live in groups year-round. They forage, travel, and roost together. This social nature is key to their success in finding food and ensuring their safety.
Habitat & Distribution
The European Starling is a highly adaptable species that has conquered a wide variety of environments.
It thrives in both rural areas (fields, pastures) and urban environments (parks, backyards, industrial zones). It seeks open feeding areas and nesting sites (cavities in trees, buildings, or nest boxes). While native to Europe and much of Asia, it was successfully introduced to North America, Australia, and South Africa, where it is often considered an invasive species.
Diet
The starling is an opportunistic omnivore, which largely explains its success.
Its diet varies with the season. In spring and summer, it is a major consumer of insects and larvae (like crane fly larvae and grubs), which it finds by probing the ground with its bill. This makes it a helpful controller of pests on lawns. In the fall and winter, it shifts to fruits (cherries, apples, grapes, ivy berries) and seeds, and will readily visit backyard feeders for suet and seeds.
Nesting & Reproduction
The starling is a cavity-nesting bird.
It builds its nest in a cavity: a hole in an old tree, a crevice in a wall, under roof tiles, or in a birdhouse. The nest is a bulky structure of dry grass, straw, and twigs, lined with feathers, wool, and softer materials. The female lays 4 to 6 pale blue, unmarked eggs. Incubation lasts about 12 days, and both parents feed the young, who fledge after about 3 weeks. They often raise two broods per year.
Vocalizations: An Incredible Mimic
The starling's song is a complex and surprising medley.
Its song is a mixture of whistles, clicks, rattles, warbles, and more melodious sounds. But its most special talent is its ability to mimic. It can perfectly replicate the calls of other birds (like Killdeer or Red-tailed Hawks), ambient sounds (a phone ringing, a car alarm), and even the human voice. For excellent audio recordings, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a fantastic resource.
Status in North America: An Invasive Species
The relationship between starlings and people in North America is complicated. In their native Europe, some populations have declined, but in North America, they are a widespread and unprotected invasive species.
Descended from about 100 birds released in the 1890s, the starling population has exploded, causing significant problems for native wildlife and agriculture. To understand the full story of their introduction and the ecological damage they cause, particularly to birds like bluebirds and woodpeckers, it is essential to view them through this lens. For a deep dive into this topic, **read our detailed guide on why the European Starling is an invasive species**.
For additional resources on their status, the National Audubon Society provides a comprehensive profile.
