Starlings · Perching birds
European Starling
Copied!
Sturnus vulgaris
Copied!
Voice
Song
Call
Song
How to recognize it
-
20 cm, like a small thrush
-
Glossy black plumage, winter white speckles
-
Short tail, sharp bill, pinkish legs
-
Walks on the ground, not hopping; flocks fly in tight, shifting masses
About the species
Often seen moving in loose flocks, the European Starling walks and runs on the ground more than it hops. In flight it looks quick and purposeful, and groups turn almost at once, as if each one is following the others closely.
Its voice is busy and varied. A single male may mix whistles, clicks, harsh squeaks, and copied sounds from other species, plus everyday noises like a dog bark or even human speech. Outside the breeding season it still sings, and large groups make a steady chatter at roosts.
It uses parks, streets, gardens, farms, and other open places with short grass, especially where there are trees or cavities for nesting. It feeds near the ground on insects, worms, seeds, fruit, and scraps, and in some places it stays year-round while others move south for winter.
Did you know?
-
Riding cows for insects
Starlings perch on the backs of grazing cows and pick off blood-sucking insects, turning the herd into a mobile feeding station.
-
City beggars
In crowded city spots, starlings pick up the habits of pigeons and sparrows and practically beg for food at outdoor diners, while their countryside kin stay wary.
-
500 km off course
Young European Starlings displaced 500 km from the Netherlands to Switzerland kept their innate compass heading instead of correcting for the move, and wintered hundreds of kilometres south of their population's usual range.
Where to find
-
In the morning, check short-cut lawns and grassy verges — the starling often walks briskly there, probing the soil for worms.
-
Along canal banks, pond edges and reed-lined water, it shows up on the mud or shallow waterline, especially while feeding or bathing in puddles after rain.
-
In spring and early summer, listen near wall cavities, under eaves and at nest boxes — the male often sings from the entrance while flicking its wings.
-
On autumn and winter evenings, look over squares, sports fields and courtyards with tall trees nearby — big flocks twist sharply in the air before dropping into a roost.
