Detailed information on Starling, Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

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DMersh

(Zone 7b) | September 2016 | Neutral

Extremely aggressive birds, constantly fighting over food. Noisy and not a very nice birdsong either, sometimes masses in huge groups, rarely seen alone. Juveniles look quite different, being a plain light brown, darkening as they mature to the familiar dark speckled appearance.

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coriaceous

ROSLINDALE, MA | February 2016 | Neutral

The World Conservation Union has included this species in their list of 100 of the world's worst invasive species, one of only 3 bird species so singled out. [[email protected]]

Here they assemble in huge noisy flocks and spatter everything below with their excrement.

They are cavity nesters and easily outcompete our native songbirds for nesting sites. This competition is thought to be one of the significant factors in the rapid recent decline in our songbird populations.

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chasenfratz

Saint Louis, MO (Zone 6b) | February 2015 | Positive

I have two rescued starlings as pets, one fell into my garden from my neighbor's dryer vent. I raised it after learning that the wild bird rehab place would probably euthanize it. I adopted the second one two years later. I've done a lot of reading on these birds as well as observing my indoor starlings and the outdoor ones. I think they are amazing birds. They are really easy to train and can learn lots of words. Mine are both very friendly, one likes to be petted. In the wild they eat lots of pests like Japanese Beetles and lawn grubs. They are well-designed for getting food out of lawns. I think part of the reason there are so many in North America is that we built them a perfect habitat over here. I don't like to blame and persecute the birds for that. I understand the concern for nati... read more

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Chillybean

(Zone 5a) | October 2014 | Negative

We can thank Eugene Schieffelin for this bird being in North America. You have to admit, this bird is resilient, but doesn't make it any more welcome.

While feeding, they seem to get along with others in our experience. But we do not allow large numbers to stay and this makes them tolerable at the feeders. Their habit of watching woodpeckers excavate cavities, then take them over does not sit well with those who appreciate native species. Without going into detail, we do not allow them to nest, thus aiding a handful of woodpecker families every year.

We find it interesting their fear of the American Kestrel, so we do not often see them when the little falcons are here. Also, cavity-nesting Swallows will mob the European Starlings, thus causing them to ... read more

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oregon_guy

Portland, OR | October 2014 | Positive

I adore starlings. They are extremely fun to watch, and have amazing antics. Beautiful coloring, intelligent, and extremely useful for insect control, they also are incredible to view in their large flocks. Their song is rather extraordinary as well, and it sounds really nice. They get along really well with other birds too, and I've even seen them help out other birds in trouble. Gotta love 'em!

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reddirty

Saint George, UT | April 2014 | Negative

Starlings are not native to North America and are an invasive species. Until native predator species learn that they can hunt and eat this pest then we need to be proactive and lower the Starling's numbers. Messy, disruptive to other birds, destructive to natural environment habitat.

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bonehead

Cedarhome, WA (Zone 8b) | December 2012 | Neutral

Positive: They are a beautiful bird, with such varied song. I love to watch the entire flock twist and dip together.

Negative: They have been misplaced here and are a threat to our native birds. They are also a nuisance in the barn, ripping apart insulation and making a big fat mess.

Bottom line: I wish they would just go back to Europe.

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absinthe27

Rogers, MN (Zone 4b) | September 2012 | Positive

I love watching the huge flocks twist about in the sky. So beautiful.

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FBSPANKEY2

Fort Benton, MT | July 2012 | Negative

I LOVE BIRDS............. but this is the worst bird ever.

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uviolet

St Clair Shores, MI (Zone 6a) | May 2012 | Negative

Normally, I don't actively hate even invasive birds, but I do in this case.

This year, at least one learned how to lift up a slat of our louvered dryer vent and get into the vent itself. It apparently then discovered if it lifted up on one side, the slat would pop off. After a week of putting the slats back in several times a day (with the materials it was bringing in to build a nest with being removed as well), it decided to just start pecking (or biting, not sure which) the slats in the center so they would eventually break and not be able to be put back on. So we replaced the vent cover with one that has a type of basket covering the louvered slats to prevent it from happening again.

It apparently didn't like that it was prevented from it's preferred nest... read more

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friedaroy

New Braunfels, TX | July 2011 | Neutral

I have a few in my backyard, I have had no issues with the birds so far. I have two that bathe in my bird bath every morning, like clockwork. They are interesting watch and I have not noticed any aggressive behavior toward any of the other birds in my yard, as a matter of fact my black chinned hummingbirds seem to be the most aggressive backyard visitor that I have.

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SaberLily

Winchester, VA (Zone 7a) | June 2010 | Positive

These little guys are a surprisingly big help when it comes to insect control. They consume many pests like nobody's business.

I haven't found them to be any more aggressive than the mockingbirds that are also found in our area. (Who are also a big help at insect control even if they are extremely territorial)

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gnash

Asheville, NC | May 2010 | Positive

Love Starlings! And Cornell University has the best birding website: http://www.ebird.edu for info, nesting, citizen scientist work, annual competitions. Check it out - it's all free.

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PinetopPlanter

Auburn Four Corners, PA (Zone 5a) | May 2010 | Positive

Yes, I know they are invasive, and rob native birds of habitat and food, but here in NYC, I've had a chance to observe them, holding their own against the pigeon population. Once in awhile one will sing on my fire-eascape -- it's a glorious song, varied, tuneful, and very conversational-sounding. They have a beautiful metallic sheen to their feathers, seen when the sun hits them just right.

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femluc

Elizabethton, TN (Zone 6b) | April 2010 | Negative

These birds are everywhere in my area. The biggest problem that I have with them is the fact that they eat every morsel of my dog's food, and will even flock over his food bowl with him standing there. And after the main course, they have to take a bath in his water bowl, which is just nasty in and of itself. Of course, they don't know what kind of dog he is, and they don't know that he is big, but I don't think it would make any difference to them at all. THEY ARE A NUISANCE!

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librarygarden

Arlington Heights, IL | May 2009 | Negative

The are such a nuisance in my area. They bully the smaller birds away from the feeders and seed plants, and form big flocks of squawking West Nile Virus. We have to reinforce the openings of our birdhouses with steel because the starlings will tear them apart in order to get in.

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Malus2006

Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | April 2009 | Neutral

As stated, they form flocks - they are very social birds, never found alone - they even kind of nest together but will pairs off alone - they prefer birdhouses or holes a certain distance above the ground and a specific size. Birds of prey loves them as their flocks are very noticeable and they don't attack birds of prey - just flee from them. In winter here in Minnesota, they are very uncommon, some flies south, other stay in very localized area - often those with thin snow covers. They can't seem to adapt to deep snow (about 3-4 inches or more) and relocate to other areas until the snow cover thins or thaws out then they move back in almost instantly. They are very traditional, always returning to the same area to roost or feed. In summer they are very abaduant, prefering wide open parkl... read more

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creekwalker

Benton County, MO (Zone 5a) | March 2009 | Negative

Very much a nuisance bird here. They form huge flocks in towns and cause all kinds of problems.

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salandry54

Jeanerette, LA | February 2009 | Negative

HORRIBLE birds!!! They are invasive and kill Purple Martins! I am trying to eradicate them from my yard! It's no wonder they are named "vulgaris"! UGH!

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Resin

(Zone 9a) | December 2008 | Positive

Positive for Europe, where it is a native species in serious decline due to agricultural intensification.

Starling, Common Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

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