Species Profile
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: European Starling, Starling
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Appearance
The Common Starling is a small, stocky bird with a short tail and pointed wings. Its plumage is glossy black with an iridescent sheen, displaying hues of green and purple in bright light. The bill is yellow in the breeding season and darker in winter.
Females are mostly similar to males, although they tend to be. They also develop the bright yellow bill during the breeding season, although the bill base tends to be pinkish in females. Females also tend to be a little less glossy than males and have shorter feathers on the throat.
During winter, the bird's feathers are covered in white spots, giving it a speckled appearance. Juveniles are uniformly dull brown before moulting into adult plumage.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- Green
- Beak
- Yellow
- Legs
- Pink
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Common Starlings are highly adaptable and thrive in a wide range of habitats, including urban areas, farmland, and open woodlands. They are native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa but have been introduced to many parts of the world.
In North America, Australia, and New Zealand, starlings are considered an invasive species. They are abundant year-round residents in the UK, widespread across the US, and common in urban areas of Canada and Australia.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
Wales
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Cambridgeshire
Rutland
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Berkshire
Bristol
Cheshire
Cornwall
Cumbria
Derbyshire
Devon
Gloucestershire
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Common Starlings are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. Their diet includes insects, worms, snails, and a variety of fruits and berries.
They often forage on the ground, using their strong bills to probe the soil for invertebrates. In urban areas, they readily take advantage of human food scraps.
Behaviour
Common Starlings are highly social birds, often seen in large, noisy flocks. They perform spectacular aerial displays called murmurations, where thousands of birds swoop and wheel in synchronised patterns.
These birds are also known for their ability to mimic sounds, including human speech and mechanical noises.
Calls & Sounds
Common Starlings are known for their diverse and complex vocalisations. Their natural song is a series of whistles, warbles, and rattles. They are excellent mimics, capable of imitating other bird calls, frog croaks, and even human speech or mechanical sounds.
The typical call is a harsh, descending whistle that sounds like 'tseer'. Starlings often call to signal aggression, maintain contact with other starlings, and alert other birds to sources of danger.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Starlings typically begins in spring. Males attract females by singing and displaying at potential nest sites, often returning to the same location each year.
Nests are built in cavities, including tree holes, buildings, and nest boxes. The nest is a loose collection of grass, leaves, and other plant material. Females lay 4-6 pale blue eggs. Some eggs may appear more greenish or whitish than blue, however.
Incubation lasts about 12 days, and both parents share duties. Nestlings fledge after 21-23 days but continue to be fed by their parents for 1-2 weeks after leaving the nest.
Conservation
While the Common Starling is listed as Least Concern globally, populations have declined in parts of Europe and North America.
In the UK, it is on the Red List of conservation concern due to breeding population declines. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable habitats and nesting sites.
Elevation
Up to 2,000 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Common Starlings face predation from various birds of prey, including hawks, falcons, and owls. In urban areas, domestic cats are also significant predators, especially of fledglings and juveniles.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for starlings in open areas like parks, fields, and urban settings
- Listen for their varied vocalisations, including mimicry of other birds and sounds
- Observe large flocks performing murmurations at dusk, especially in autumn and winter
- In the UK and US, starlings are common year-round, making them easy to spot in urban and suburban areas
Did You Know?
- Starlings can open their bills while they're closed in something solid, using a special adaptation in their skull.
- A group of starlings is called a 'murmuration', which can contain up to 100,000 birds.
- Starlings were introduced to North America in 1890 by a group that wanted to bring all birds mentioned in Shakespeare's works to the New World.
- Winter roosts of starlings can hold up to several million birds.
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Related Articles
European Starling or Common Grackle: A Guide To Their Distinctive Features
<ul><li><strong>Physical Differences: </strong>The European Starling has dark eyes, pinkish legs, and a slender yellow bill, while the Common Grackle has yellow eyes, dark legs, and a dark bill. Grackles are larger with longer tails, sometimes as long as the bird itself, and starlings have shorter tails without patterns.</li><li><strong>Behavioral and Diet Variations:</strong> Grackles are native to the US, noisy, and feed on a variety of foods including crops. Starlings, not native to just the US, are generally quieter, eat insects and seeds, and travel in groups. Grackles have a more intense gaze due to their bright, golden eyes.</li><li><strong>Habitat and Plumage: </strong>Both species have iridescent plumage, but starlings resemble grackles more in winter with less vibrant, spotted plumage and black beaks. Grackles and starlings can occasionally flock together outside the nesting season.</li><li><strong>Species Distinction and Interesting Facts:</strong> Grackles belong to the Troupials and Allies family and display sexual dimorphism, with males being larger. They can recognize human faces and mimic sounds. Starlings, part of the Starling family, have spread rapidly in North America since their introduction in the 1890s and are known for their strong jaw muscles used for foraging.</li></ul>
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