Name: European Starling

Description: A group dedicated to introducing America to all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare's works set 100 European Starlings free in Central Park in New York City in the early 1890s. Since then, the European Starling has become one of the most numerous birds in North America. They're found from Alaska to Florida to northern Mexico, and their population is estimated at over 200 million birds. The European Starling is an aggressive, highly social species that travels in large, noisy flocks.

Other Names: None

Color: The European Starling has iridescent, green-glossed feathers covering the back, nape and breast. The male is larger, more iridescent and has longer throat feathers, but some females can be larger, glossier and have longer feathers than some males. During breeding when they have yellow bills, the base of a male's lower mandible is blue-gray, while the female's is pinkish. The male's eyes are a uniform deep brown, but the female has a narrow, lighter colored ring around the outer edge. The name "Starling" means "little star" and refers to the off-white spots on the Starling's plumage. These spots appear in the fall and are gradually worn off during the winter, revealing a much blacker-looking bird by spring.

Sound: The European Starling’s song is a rather quiet series of whistled notes, often containing mimicry of other bird species, other sounds in their environment and human voices. Its flight call is a purring “prurrp.”

Preferred Environment: The European Starling uses a variety of habitats with open country, fields and trees for nesting; especially near people, and in agricultural and urban areas.

Nesting Habits: The European Starling nests in cavities filled with grass or pine needles and other items, such as feathers, paper, plastic, string and rootlets. Nests may be located 2-60 feet above ground.

Food Preference: European Starlings feed on nijer (thistle), cracked corn, suet and white millet.