European Starling (Sturnus vulgari)

                                                                     Photos by BarrytheBirder

The European Starling was a species introduced into New York in 1890-91 and it soon spread across the North American continent and is today found in a wide variety of human-altered habitats.

It is abundant, aggressive, bold and often competes very successfully  with native species for nest holes.   Apart from nesting season, it is usually seen in large flocks, sometimes mixed with blackbirds.

The adult in breeding plumage is iridescent black, with a yellow bill with a blue base in males and pink in females.   In fresh fall plumage, feathers are tipped with white and buff, giving a speckled appearance; bills are brownish.

In flight, its short, square tail, stocky body and short broad-based, pointed wings are to be noted.

The highly gregarious Starling's call notes include gurgles, squeaks, burbles, chirps, warbles and twittering.   It can also mimic songs of other bird species.

Kenn Kaufman, in his Birds of North America says "Starlings nest in holes in trees, birdhouses, crevices in buildings, etc.; very aggressive, they may compete with native birds for nest sites, even evicting woodpeckers from their own holes."

They range from south-east Alaska to Newfoundland and south throughout the U.S.A.

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BarrytheBirder