European starling, common starling
Sturnus vulgaris
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.
Physical description
Starlings are 21cm in length, have a wingspan of 22-26cm and weigh 58-101g. In the summer, starlings are black with an iridescent purple and green sheen and a yellow bill. In the winter, their white speckles become more prominent. Juveniles are mousy brown with a pale chest, and lack the spotted breast of the adults.
Distribution
Starlings are native to Europe and Asia, but have been introduced almost worldwide.
Habitat
Their typical habitat is open woods, cultivated land and urban areas.
Diet
Starlings feed on insects, larvae, slugs, snails, earthworms and centipedes. They bustle along the ground, probing and opening their beaks in the ground until they find invertebrates. They also feed on berries and seeds.
Behaviour
Starlings are one of the most familiar birds in city areas, gathering in large numbers (sometimes millions) to feed and to roost in buildings or trees. Northern populations migrate south in the winter, but British birds are sedentary, joined by many birds from the east in the summer.
Reproduction
Starlings breed in colonies or in separate pairs during April and May. They normally rear one brood a year in holes in trees or walls, and under roof tiles, but a few in southern Britain have a second brood. The male makes a nest of grass and straw, which the female lines with feathers.
The clutch of four to seven blue eggs hatch after 12-13 days, and the chicks fledge after three weeks. After leaving the nest, the chicks continue to follow their parents about, begging for food.
Conservation status
Starlings are not considered to be globally threatened, and there are still more than a million pairs breeding in the UK.
Voice
Starlings are highly vocal and both males and females sing. Their song is a chattering, whistling chorus, but they have many other calls and often mimic other birds and sounds.
