All species
resident
Red-listedStarlings
Common Starling
Often overlooked, starlings are glossy purple-green in summer and speckled in winter. They are gifted mimics and form spectacular aerial murmurations.
Sturnus vulgaris
Gardens Urban Farmland
Size
20-22 cm
Wingspan
37-42 cm
Weight
60-90 g
Lifespan
2-5 years
Diet
Insects, worms, fruit and scraps; probes lawns for leatherjackets.
Song & Call
A wide repertoire of whistles, clicks and mimicry; also chattering calls.
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Speed
Visualizer
Recording by Stanislas Wroza · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Iridescent purple-green plumage in summer
- Short tail
- Pointed bill
Conservation
Red-listed
Red-listed; needs old buildings and nest boxes for breeding cavities.
