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.
England
Lancashire
Buckinghamshire
Berkshire
Cumbria
Gloucestershire
Dorset
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
London
Northumberland
Nottinghamshire
Oxfordshire
West Midlands
Shropshire
Somerset
Warwickshire
Herefordshire
Norfolk
United States
Cornwall
Suffolk
Staffordshire
Worcestershire
Leicestershire
Devon
North Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
Lincolnshire
Merseyside
East Sussex
Rutland
West Sussex
Tyne and Wear
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
Northamptonshire
West Yorkshire
Durham
Northern Ireland
Manchester
Surrey
Derbyshire
Montana
Georgia
Bedfordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Scotland
Wales
Kansas
Indiana
Nebraska
Kentucky
United Kingdom
Louisiana
Michigan
Massachusetts
Maine
Wiltshire
Maryland
Nevada
Bristol
Mississippi
Minnesota
Alaska
Missouri
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
North Carolina
North Dakota
California
District of Columbia
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
New Mexico
Florida
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Oklahoma
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Rhode Island
Tennessee
South Carolina
Utah
Texas
Virginia
Vermont
Washington
New South Wales
Wisconsin
West Virginia
Wyoming
Canada
Alberta
Newfoundland and Labrador
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Tasmania
Ontario
Quebec
Prince Edward Island
Saskatchewan
Australia
South Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Victoria
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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