European Starling
Common Name: European
Starling
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sturnidae
Genus: Sturnus
Species:
Sturnus
vulgaris
|
photo M. Noonan |
Taxonomy/Description
The European Starling is an
invasive species. As the name suggests, they are
originally from Europe, and were introduced in the early
1890s beginning with 100 individuals in Central Park,
New York. From those 100, they have completely taken
over North America, ranging from Alaska down to
mid-Mexico. They are a stocky, black bird with a short
square-tipped tail. They have a long pointed bill, which
is yellow during mating season. They are speckled, and
in mating season shimmer green and purple. The European
Starling is not dichromatic, meaning the male and female
show no physical differences. Size: 20-23 cm (8-9 in)
Wingspan: 31-40 cm (12-16 in) Weight: 60-96 g (2.12-3.39
ounces)
Habitat/Diet
The European Starling tends
to flock in large numbers. Their success is at the
expense of many native birds, such as Eastern Bluebirds
and Woodpeckers, as they compete with the starling for
nests. Because of their huge numbers, Starlings are
found almost everywhere, especially near people in
agricultural and urban areas. Starlings are often found
in the front yards of suburban homes. The European
Starling has a very broad diet of many kinds of
invertebrates, fruits, grains, seeds, and will even eat
garbage. They walk with a waddling gait, their head
bobbing. They use their bill to pry open grass and look
for grub.
Behavior/Reproduction
Starlings are generally
monogamous, but polygyny is common in many populations.
This pair bonds generally last for only one nesting
attempt. Male starlings guard their mates closely. A
male stays close to his mate for a period beginning a
few day before egg laying, and continuing until the
clutch is complete and incubation begins Starlings
usually make their nests inside a cavity. The nest is
composed of grass or pine needles and other things, such
as feathers, paper, plastic, string, and rootlets. The
Starling's eggs are bluish or greenish white and
unmarked. The eggs incubation period is an average of 12
days. A clutch size is between 3-6 eggs, and the chicks
fledge in 21-23 days after hatching.
photo M. Noonan
Where to see them in WNY
The European Starling is
most likely to be found in a suburban area. In fact, one
is less likely to see them if on a nature trail or at a
National Wildlife Refuge. Starlings like plain, open
short grasses, as it is more suitable for their method
of foraging.