European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Starlings are exceptional mimics and can learn to reproduce the sounds of car alarms, other bird species, and even human speech.
- Scientific name
- Sturnus vulgaris
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Sturnidae › Sturnus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- urban
- Habitat
- Urban areas, agricultural land, grasslands, and open woodlands.
- Diet
- Omnivorous; primarily insects and invertebrates, supplemented by fruits, seeds, and grain.
- Range
- Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
- Size
- 20 cm in length with a wingspan of 31-40 cm.
- Lifespan
- 2-3 years in the wild, though some reach 15 years.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss in native ranges, pesticide use reducing insect prey, and competition for nesting sites.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and highly social. Observe their complex aerial displays from a distance. They are sensitive to sudden movements but pose no threat to humans. Do not feed wild birds human food.
Photo: Shiva Shenoy, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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