European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Sturnus

Audio for Species

Call
Song

from Macaulay Library

Species Related Links

Additional European Starling Pictures

Description

Length: 7.9-9.1 in( 20-23 cm) Weight: 2.1-3.4 oz (60-96 g) Wingspan: 12.2-15.7 in (31-40 cm)

Spotted black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed yellow bills. In summer they are a purplish-green iridescent; in winter plumage they are brown, covered in brilliant white spots. Although they appear black from an distance in winter and summer.

They will flock in the tens of thousands when migrating. When in these huge flocks they will preform an aerial ballet; quite often to chase away or discombobulate a preditor.

Habitat, Range, and Feeding

Starlings inhabit a wide variety of environments, they just need good food sources. They do stay away from heavyly forested areas, arid chaparral and deserts.

Males choose the nesting site, but th female pick which male to mate with; this can be base on the site and/or the male's song. They are cavity nesters, but occasionally will nest in trees or on the ground. The cavity is first layered with grass or pine needles; paper, string, plastics, feathers, etc. The cup is lined with softer materials including, bark, leaves, feathers. The clutch size is 3 to 6 eggs, that are bluish or a greenish white.

Starlings are foragers that will eat almost anything. They prefer insects and other invertebrates; Starlings enjoy ripe fruits from farm crops and vineyards, and the insects associated with the fruits. They consume seeds also.