Starling
Starlings can be seen throughout the UK and at all times during the year. They like to spend the winter here and many thousands migrate here during the autumn.
They are one of the most common garden birds and tend to congregate in huge flocks to roost, which can cause some problems with droppings!
The best time to see a large flock – which can contain thousands of individuals – is dusk. Starlings like to roost in reed beds, parks, woods and buildings.
Starlings have a love/hate relationship with farmers. Starlings feed on invertebrates, many of which are pests for crops; however, they also like to eat from cherry orchards and cereals that are sown in the autumn. Their choice of food does make them a frequent visitor to the waterways which support a wide range of invertebrates.
Facts
Appearance: Starlings have a short tail and pointy, triangular wings. They are stocky with a pointed beak. From a distance they appear black but at close inspection they reveal a glossy plumage of purples and greens with light coloured flecks.
Size: Slighty smaller than a blackbird. 20-23cm, with a wingspan of 31-40cm.
Weight: 60-100g
Lifespan: 5 years
Diet: Insects and fruit
Family: Sturnidae
Did you know?
- All starlings in North America descend from 100 individuals that were released in Central Park, New York in the 1890s. There are now around 200 million starlings in the region.
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