Bird · GBIF taxon 9809229
European Starling
Sturnus vulgarisAlso known as Common Starling, English Starling, Purple-winged Starling
European starlings form massive, synchronized flocks known as murmurations that sweep through winter skies in fluid waves. Renowned for vocal flexibility, individuals copy the calls of dozens of other birds, human whistles, and mechanical noises. Their glossy plumage shifts seasonally, displaying iridescent greens and purples in summer before wearing down to reveal bold white flecks in autumn.
SongbirdIridescentFlocking
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Insects
- Earthworms
- Berries
Predators
- Peregrine Falcon
- Cooper's Hawk
- Domestic Cat
ThreatsAgricultural changes in native range, collision with vehicles
HabitatsFarmlands, suburban parks, urban centers, open woodlands
Life span2 to 3 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilySturnidae
- GenusSturnus
- SpeciesSturnus vulgaris
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Winter Observation: Watch evening skies near large roosts to witness fluid murmuration displays.
- Listen Closely: Listen to perched individuals to pick out mimicry of mechanical sounds or hawk calls.
- Feeder Behavior: Provide suet or mealworms in winter feeders to observe busy group foraging.
Predator Mykola Swarnyk / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Competitor (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) euqirneto, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Member (c) David F. Belmonte, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David F. Belmonte · cc-by
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