European Starling images

European Starling Images, Facts and Information:

Sturnus vulgaris

  • European Starlings are small, chunky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, sharply pointed bills and have a purple and green iridescence to their feathers. European Starlings have white spots during the winter and they are glossy during the breeding season.
  • Northern European Starlings migrate.
  • European Starlings are nonnative and were introduced in the early 1890’s, about 100 birds were released in what is today’s Central Park  in New York City, they number in the 200 million range today.
  • An individual European Starling can mimic up to 20 other bird species.
  • European Starling preferred habitats include cities, farmlands, ranches, suburban areas, parks and golf courses.
  • European Starlings eat fruits, plants, seeds, insects, small vertebrates, spiders and earthworms.
  • European Starlings lay 4 to 8 eggs which hatch in 12 to 14 days. Both sexes incubate and they are monogamous.
  • A group of European Starlings can be called a “filth”, “vulgarity”, “scourge”, “murmuration” and “constellation” of starlings.
  • European Starlings can live to be more than 15 years of age.

I hope you enjoy viewing my European Starling photos.

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