Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Starling on a tree branch

Starlings have always been thought of as a common bird in the UK, but their numbers in the UK have declined - possibly due to the use of pesticides and consequent lack of invertebrate prey.

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About the Starling

The European Starling, Common Starling or just Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a passerine bird in the family Sturnidae.

This species of starling is native to most of temperate Europe and western Asia. It is resident in southern and western Europe and southwestern Asia, while northeastern populations migrate south and west in winter to these regions, and also further south to areas where it does not breed in Iberia and north Africa. It has also been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, North America, and South Africa.

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Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animal (animalia)

Phylum: Chordate (Chordata)

Class: Bird (Aves)

Order: Passerine (Passeriformes)

Family: Sturnidae

Genus: Sturnus

Species: European Starling (vulgaris)

Common Names

  • Common starling
  • European starling

Conservation Status

The Starling is Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

  1. EX - Extinct
  2. EW
  3. CR - Threatened
  4. EN - Threatened
  5. VU - Threatened
  6. NT
  7. LC - Least concern

Year assessed: 2009

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