The widely seen starling species, scientifically known as Sturnus vulgaris, is referred to as the European starling in North America and commonly called the starling in Great Britain and Ireland.
The common starling is a small bird that measures approximately 19 to 23 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 31 to 44 cm. It weighs between 58 to 101 g. In terms of specific measurements, its wing chord is around 11.8 to 13.8 cm, the tail measures 5.8 to 6.8 cm, the culmen is 2.5 to 3.2 cm, and the tarsus ranges from 2.7 to 3.2 cm.
The appearance of common starlings is quite remarkable, with their iridescent black feathers that shine with hues of purple or green. In the winter, these feathers are adorned with white spots, adding even more beauty to their plumage. Interestingly, adult male starlings have slightly less spots on their underparts compared to adult females during a specific time of the year. Males have long and loose feathers on their throats, which they use for display, while females have smaller and more pointed throat feathers. As for their legs, they are sturdy and can be either pinkish or greyish red in color.
When it comes to their distribution and habitat, common starlings are widely spread across the Northern Hemisphere. Native to Eurasia, these birds can be found throughout Europe, as well as in northern Africa from Morocco to Egypt. They also inhabit various parts of India, mainly in the north but sometimes venturing further south and even reaching the Maldives and Nepal. Additionally, they can be seen in the Middle East, including countries like Israel, Syria, Iran, and Iraq, as well as in northwestern China.
As of 2004, the global population of common starlings was approximately 310 million individuals, and they occupy a vast area of around 8,870,000 square kilometers.
Singing Style:
The common starling is quite a chatterbox, producing a diverse array of sounds that range from pleasant melodies to mechanical-like noises as part of its ritualistic vocalization. The male starling takes the lead in serenading, engaging in sessions of song that can last for over a minute. Within each session, the starling typically incorporates four distinct types of songs, seamlessly transitioning from one to another in a predictable pattern without any interruptions.
Behavior and Habitat:
The common starling is a very sociable bird, particularly during the fall and winter seasons. While the size of its groups may vary considerably, large and boisterous flocks, known as murmurations, often gather near their resting places. These tightly packed congregations are believed to serve as a defense mechanism against attacks from birds of prey, such as peregrine falcons or Eurasian sparrowhawks. When in flight, the flocks adopt a spherical formation that frequently expands, contracts, and reshapes itself, seemingly without a designated leader. Each individual starling adapts its course and speed based on the movements of its closest companions.
Dining Habits:
The usual dining preference of the common starling revolves around insects, making it an important ally against pests. Their menu consists of various arthropods like spiders, crane flies, moths, mayflies, dragonflies, damselflies, grasshoppers, earwigs, lacewings, caddisflies, flies, beetles, sawflies, bees, wasps, and ants. The starlings happily munch on both the adult insects and their larvae. Not limiting themselves to just insects, they also savor earthworms, snails, and even small amphibians and lizards.
Breeding occurs in the spring and summer months. After mating, the female lays eggs on a daily basis for several days. If one of the eggs is lost during this time, she will lay another to replace it. Typically, there are four or five eggs that are oval-shaped and can be either pale blue or occasionally white. These eggs often have a shiny appearance. The blue color of the eggs is believed to have developed due to its visibility in low light conditions. The eggs measure between 26.5 and 34.5 mm in length and have a maximum diameter of 20.0 to 22.5 mm.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the common starling has a global population exceeding 310 million and its numbers are believed to be stable. This is why the bird is not considered to be at risk and is categorized as “of least concern.”