Page 375 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

STARLINGS
Order Passeriformes Family Sturnidae Species Sturnus unicolor
Spotless Starling blue-based
yellow bill
(pink-based
on female)
gradually develops
ADULT adult colours long, loose, pointed
plumes around neck
and breast
purple-black body
with dull oily
sheen (duller
in winter)
red-brown tinge
on wingtips, seen
against light
IN FLIGHT
JUVENILE (MOULTING)
plain brown
back and
wings
scattered, small
dark spots on red-pink legs
underside

JUVENILE MALE
(SUMMER)
he Iberian equivalent of the Starling, this species has an obvious
Tresemblance and close relationship with the more widespread
species: in winter especially, they can be difficult to separate. FLIGHT: like Starling but tends to look slightly
In summer, however, as groups line the roofs of ancient buildings bulkier, broader-winged, slightly slower.
in Spain, or fly down to feed in the fields, they seem to
look and sound a little different, with a subtle character
of their own. In winter, Starlings join them across
Spain and increasingly they stay to breed south of the
Pyrenees, increasing the identification challenge.
VOICE Starling-like squawling and quarrelling notes;
song has loud, musical, long-drawn py-eeeew and
parrot-like sounds.
NESTING Bulky, untidy nest in roof spaces and cavities
in walls; 4–7 eggs; 1 brood;April–June.
FEEDING Forages on
ground for all kinds of HABITAT
invertebrates and seeds. The Spotless Starling is found in similar habitats as the Starling but is
more often associated with old buildings and tiled roofs.
SIMILAR SPECIES
OCCURRENCE
STARLING 32; larger spots Breeds in Spain, Portugal, and
overall in winter;
see p.372 extreme S France, Corsica, Sicily,
and Sardinia. All year round in
towns and villages, feeding on
adjacent farmland; in winter, may
SUBTLE SHEEN mix with common Starlings.
Unless seen closely, this bird looks
pale spots under solidly black. It has a more purplish Seen in the UK
tail in summer JF M A M J JA S ON D
sheen overall than a Starling.
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
373