Sturnus vulgaris

Description

The young European starling is gray-brown and has a thin dark bill. The non-breeding European starling (September to February) is a shiny black color and has white spots and a black bill. The breeding starling has no white spots and has a yellow bill.

Voice

European starlings imitate other birds. They also make whistling noises, clicks, and rattles.

Breeding

December to August

Habitat

These birds like to live in cities, farms, fields, and other open areas.

Diet

European starlings eat insects, seeds, fruit, and grains.

Range

You can find these birds year-round in the United States and southern Canada.

Other Useful Information

European starlings are an introduced species. This means that they are not originally from this area. These birds have had a bad effect on native birds (birds that are from this area). Starlings take nest cavities, leaving the native birds with nowhere to lay their eggs.

Similar Species

The European starling is the only "black" bird in this region with a yellow bill.