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D & D Wildlife Photography
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The European Starling is a short-tailed, glossy purple-black all over and with a yellow bill in summer, but in winter sports white and gold specks over a black body and has a black bill. Juveniles, commonly seen in flocks in the summer are greyish-brown with dark bills. Native of Eurasia and North Africa. They forage on the ground for insects, spiders, earthworms, garbage, salamanders, snails, weed seeds, grain, cherries and berries but will come to feeders for seed and suet.The nest is of twigs, grasses, feathers, tree flowers, and cloth, placed in a natural tree cavity or abandoned woodpecker hole or birdhouse, two to sixty feet above ground. They lay two to eight light blue eggs with dark marks.
Length: 8 inches
Habitat: Urban and suburban areas. Open glades, meadows, parks, farms, cities.
Voice: Song is a running stream of squeals, squawks, and imitation of other birds; flight call a short "chjjj."
Other Behavior: In 1890, starlings were introduced into New York City from Europe. Since then they have spread all across North America. They aggressively compete with native species of birds for nesting cavities.
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