Species: Common starling (European starling)

A common garden bird in many parts of Europe, Common or European starlings can be distinguished from common blackbird as they are slightly smaller with a shiny plumage that can give them a white speckled appearance. They are native to Europe, Asia and parts of Northern Africa. Starling numbers are in decline in some countries meaning that this species is on the the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List for threatened species. Across their range they can typically be found in large numbers in urban or rural areas where there is access to insects and fruit. They nest in holes in trees or buildings and form large group roosts during the winter months. The gathering of thousands of starlings is a common sight in autumn months and the spectacular group-flights are known as murmurations.

There is more information about the Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) available on the website of the RSPB.

Photo banner: Roy Slaterus

Disease general

No diseases found.

Research results

• Massive numbers of starlings are dying: no clear cause (12/12/2018)

Overige berichten

No news found.

Publications

No publications found.