Page 374 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

STARLINGS
Order Passeriformes Family Sturnidae Species Sturnus vulgaris
Starling silvery white face
with darker mask
dull head last large, scaly spots
to gain adult around tail body feathers tipped
colours whitish or buff
blue-based,
ADULT wing feathers sharp yellow
edged bright bill (pink-based
orange-buff on female)
short, ADULT
square (WINTER)
tail
glossy black body
with green and
purple sheen
IN FLIGHT IMMATURE
(MOULTING; AUTUMN)
plain brown
body
dark bill

MALE
JUVENILE
long, strong, (SPRING)
red-brown legs
enerally abundant, Starlings form dense, noisy flocks: no other
G small bird, apart from shoreline waders, creates such vast flocks FLIGHT: direct, fast, short glides and rapid flicked
that look like clouds of smoke at a distance. However, with wide- wingbeats; often in dense flocks, rising and falling.
spread declines, flocks have been much reduced.They are
found in many habitats, urban, suburban, and rural, many
moving west within Europe in winter. In spring, Starlings
sing loudly, with characteristic wing-waving actions.
VOICE Loud, slightly grating cheer, musical, twangy,
whistled tswee-oo, variety of clicks, gurgles, squawking
notes; song fast mixture of gurgles, rattles, trills, and
whistles, some mimicry.
NESTING Loose, bulky nest of grass and stems, lined
with roots, moss, wool, and feathers, in tree hole, cavity
in building or wall, or large nest box; 4–7 eggs; 1 or 2
broods;April–July. WINTER FLOCK
FEEDING In small to large flocks,finding invertebrates, Starling flocks in flight are marvellous examples of skilful coordination
seeds, and berries on ground; catches flying ants. and close control.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds in all Europe except Spain,
SPOTLESS STARLING BLACKBIRD 32; Portugal, and S Italy, where it is
32; see p.373 see p.311
a winter visitor; only summer in
unspotted N and E Europe. Breeds in woods,
gardens, and towns; in winter, in
longer body
plumes forest, city centres, and industrial
sites, on bridges and piers.
unmarked
in summer longer Seen in the UK
tail J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 21cm (8 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 37–42cm (14 1 ⁄2 –16 1 ⁄2in) Weight 75 –90g (2 5 ⁄8 –3 1 ⁄4oz)
Social Flocks Lifespan Up to 5 years Status Secure
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