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European Starlings

Sturnus vulgaris

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40.8684, -75.608

Field Notes

Description:

8 inches long (20.32 cm). Short-tailed stocky songbird. Winter feathers. Black body speckled overall with white and gold. Iridescent blue, green and purple on breast and head. Yellow and black bill. Usually forages on ground for insects, spiders, seeds, berries, and even snails and small salamanders. Very sharp talons. Also known as Common Starlings. Very noisy.

Habitat:

Bird feeder and back deck near woodlands.

Notes:

There were about 100 in the woods and they were crazy over the bird feeder. I don't see them often, but usually after a snowstorm. See video to see them fighting over the seeds. (Click on main photo to see talons)

Reference Links:

Common Starling, European Starling, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (17)
Caleb Steindel
Carol, would you consider adding this to the backyard birds of northeastern usa mission? https://www.projectnoah.org/missions/19491060 thank you!
Carol Snow Milne
They are like thieves. They come so quickly at the bird feeder and then they are gone. They are always fighting with each other. Hilarious! Winter feathers are my favorite. Thanks everyone!
KarenL
Lovely series Carol! I know they are considered a pest but I have a soft spot for starlings - they are such characters!
Debbie Stewart
I never realised you got starlings out as far as Pennsylvania, you captred the irridescence really well. I think I must have about 30 of these all come and raid my suet feeder at the same time everyday and you certainly know they've arrived from all the noise!
veneta.tashev
I find these birds beautiful, but I can't keep mesh bird feeders, because they are very greedy and notably agressive and chase the smaller birds away.
SheaEckert
Great series! I love these European Starlings! I only get them on my feeders every now and then and you caught a feast! Great job :)
Mandy Hollman
Wow, beautiful photos! Nice video too. Thanks for sharing :)
MaryL
I love the video!
Wild Things
Amazing series! Lovely video and cool music :-)
Atul
Beautiful ..... :-)
Carol Snow Milne
I have seen them before on cloudy days. The sun was so bright and in the right position so I finally could see the bright purples, blues and green. They were fun to watch. So noisy and greedy. LOL
Glen Marks
Wonderful colors! Had some here today on the feeders, but not nearly as colorful as in your picture.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
Wildlife of Northeastern USA
Mission
Creatures of Pennsylvania
Photographed
PublishedMarch 21, 2013

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