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European Starling

Sturnus vulgarisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Starling (Sturnidae)
European Starling Breeding Male Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Dark brown.
  • Head Pattern: Plain, Spotted
  • Crown Color: White flecked black with iridescent sheen.
  • Forehead Color: Black with iridescent sheen.
  • Nape Color: White flecked black with iridescent sheen.
  • Throat Color: White flecked black with iridescent sheen.
  • Cere color: No Data
European Starling Breeding Male Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 22 cm (8.5 in)
  • Weight: 85 g (3 oz)
  • Size: Size 2. Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color: White, Black
  • Underparts: White flecked black.
  • Upperparts: White flecked black.
  • Back Pattern: Spotted or speckled, Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
European Starling Breeding Male Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats.
  • Wingspan Range: 39 cm (15.5 in)
  • Wing Shape: Tapered-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Squared Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: White flecked black with iridescent sheen.
  • Under Tail: White flecked black with iridescent sheen.
  • Leg Color: Pink-gray
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Family Starling (Sturnidae)_blue
Species Sturnus vulgaris
Length8.5 Inches
Wingspan15.5 Inches

European Starling

European Starling: Small, chunky, iridescent purple and green blackbird with long, pointed yellow bill, pink legs, and short tail. The feathers on back and undertail show buff edges. Feeds in open areas, normally on the ground. Strong, direct and swift flight on rapidly beating wings.

● Song: "pheeEW"

● Foraging & Feeding: European Starling: Eats seeds, insects, small vertebrates, centipedes, spiders, earthworms, plants, and fruits; commonly takes food discarded by humans.

● Breeding & nesting: European Starling: Four to eight pale blue or green eggs, sometimes marked with brown, are laid in a nest made of twigs, grass, forbs, straw, and trash. Nest is lined built in a natural hollow of a tree, bird box, building crevice, or abandoned woodpecker hole. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days.

● Similar species: European Starling: Blackbirds, cowbirds and grackles have longer tails, slimmer bodies, dark bills, and lack white spots on head and body.

Flight Pattern

Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats.
European Starling Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: European Starling: Native to Eurasia, but widely introduced worldwide. Occurs from Alaska and Quebec south throughout the continent to the Gulf coast and northern Mexico. Preferred habitats include cities, suburban areas, farmlands, and ranches.
BreedingMonogamous, Loose colonies
Population
MigrationNorthern birds migrate
Weight3 Ounces