Color: Typically dark with light speckles on feathers; speckles not obvious from a distance; yellow beak except in colder temperatures when it darkens to tan or gray.
Legs: 2
Class: Bird
Size: Approximate length = 6 inches; Approximate weight = 3 ounces
European starlings were intentionally introduced to New York in the 1890s and have since become one of North America's most widespread invasive bird species. Recognisable by their iridescent, speckled plumage, they are prolific breeders, producing up to two clutches of four to seven eggs per year. Their large flocks can damage property, displace native birds, and pose health risks through their droppings.
Starlings feed on a variety of substances. They will readily consume seeds and fruit but have a particular preference for invertebrates, such as insect larvae (grubs), in spring and summer. They forage in open trash containers and eat spilled food in parks and picnic sites. Starlings will roost or rest in trees and are considered a major agricultural fruit pest.
Starling droppings may cause components of steel buildings to degrade, leading to significant structural damage. A potential health risk arises from soil enriched with starling droppings, which can promote fungal growth and lead to diseases, such as histoplasmosis. In addition, starlings are known for causing bird strikes with aircraft.
Starlings can be found in nearly every setting, from agricultural to metropolitan areas. They tend to travel in flocks and are often found grazing in short grass. Common in residential settings, starlings will occupy trees or perch on gutters, which may be clogged and filled with water. These clogged gutters provide a much-needed water source for the starlings.
To prevent or get rid of starlings, all openings greater than one inch should be sealed to prevent nesting. Trimming trees, which are popular resting spots for starlings, can reduce their attractiveness. For additional starling management, create barriers on horizontal surfaces by adding obstructions such as professionally installed wire repellents. Keep all animal food and trash covered and inaccessible to birds. Keep gutters clean to prevent water pooling. Sound and other frightening devices may be effective in dispersing starlings before they establish territory.
European starlings eat insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, and flies, as well as spiders, snails, and earthworms when available. They also eat a wide variety of fruits, including wild and cultivated cherries, berries, hackberries, and mulberries, as well as grains, seeds, nectar, and livestock feed.
They are an invasive bird species and aggressively outcompete native cavity-nesting birds, such as bluebirds and woodpeckers, for nesting sites, often destroying their eggs and nests. They can also cause extensive agricultural damage by destroying fruit and grain crops, contaminating livestock feed, and spreading diseases to both animals and humans.
When insects are scarce in winter, starlings shift their diet to focus more heavily on berries, fruits, seeds, and grains. They'll also visit bird feeders for seed and suet, and forage for any available food sources, including livestock feed and even garbage, to survive the colder months.