Common Starling

Image from: John Gould (1804-81) Birds of Great Britain 1862-73. 5 vols. 367 plates Artists: J. Gould, J. Wolf, H.C. Richter and W. Hart; Lithographers: H.C. Richter and W. Hart.

Sturnus vulgaris

Description

The Common Starling has a wide variation in plumage. Both sexes are similar, although the female is less glossy than the male. In autumn, when the plumage is new, birds are glossed black, with a purple and green shine, and the tips of the body feathers have large white spots. At this time the bill is dark and the legs are brown. With wear, the white spots are lost, while the bill and legs turn yellow. By the breeding season (August to January) adults have become glossy-black without any spots. Young birds are dull grey-brown. Common Starlings are 20 to 22cm in length.

The song of the Common Starling is an unmusical collection of wheezy whistles, clicks, scratching notes and some mimicry of other bird calls.

Distribution and Habitat

The Common Starling was introduced into Australia in the late 1850s through to 1870. It originated from Europe, where it was once a common bird of the deciduous woodlands, but now tends to favour rural and urban areas. In Australia, it has become a familiar sight around human habitation throughout the east and south-east. It has become well established and is expanding its range. It is also a prominent bird in open cultivated areas, and is a well-known pest of orchards.

Food and feeding

Common Starlings are most often seen searching for seeds and insects on lawns and in paddocks. Other food includes spiders, worms, human scraps and fruit crops. Birds feed mainly on the ground and often in vast flocks.

Common Starling Egg © Australian Museum

Breeding

Breeding takes place mainly between August and January each year, but may take place at any time. During breeding season, the large winter flocks break up into pairs or small groups. The nest is an untidy cup of grasses, leaves, twigs and items of human rubbish. Nest sites are any type of hollow, such as tree hollows and house roof voids. The birds are aggressive when competing for nesting sites and readily drive out native species.

The four to eight pale blue eggs are incubated by both sexes, and the young birds hatch after 10 to 12 days. Both sexes also raise the young birds. Often two broods are raised in a season.

References

• Pizzey, G. & Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
• Strahan, R. (ed) 1996. Finches, Bowerbirds & Other Passerines of Australia. Angus and Robertson and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.