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European Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Photo by LaurieWinters
Published on Project Noah
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27.7731, -82.64

Field Notes

Description:

Starlings are boisterous, loud, and they travel in large groups (often with blackbirds and grackles). They race across fields, beak down and probing the grass for food; or they sit high on wires or trees making a constant stream of rattles, whirrs, and whistles.

Habitat:

Starlings are common in towns, suburbs, and countryside near human settlements. They feed on the ground on lawns, fields, sidewalks, and parking lots. They perch and roost high on wires, trees, and buildings.

Notes:

This large flock of birds were wild about the ants that live in our backyard tree.

Reference Links:

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

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
LaurieWinters
One of the things I read about Starlings on the all about birds website: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/lifehistory "...extremely aggressive birds that drive other species from nest sites they want to use. Among the species they’ve chased off are Wood Ducks, Buffleheads, Northern Flickers, Great Crested Flycatchers, Tree Swallows, and Eastern Bluebirds". BUT It also said: "a study in 2003 found few actual effects on populations of 27 native species. Only sapsuckers showed declines due to starlings; other species appeared to be holding their own against the invaders".
KarenL
Remember, it's not the starlings fault they are over here - they were introduced by humans & like many introduced species they have become invasive.
LaurieWinters
After reading about the Starlings, I understand why you said "too bad the ants didn't eat them" - but I think they are very interesting looking birds. Thanks for the ID. Not sure why the pix didn't load for you, I'll try and upload again.
Darwin26
Starlings ~ to bad the ants didn't eat them. Ants and Birds have a mysterious relationship ~ not just the eating them part but placing ants in various parts of the feathered body ? curious to be sure. i think there may have some other birds in this video. The still pix didn't load for me. Thank you,

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
Backyard Birding Southeastern USA
Photographed
PublishedOctober 20, 2011

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