# European Starling (*Sturnus vulgaris*) European Starlings are charming birds with shiny feathers that can change colors in the light. They love to chatter and often gather in big groups, making lots of fun sounds! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 461 - **Habitat:** Open fields, parks, and urban areas - **Also known as:** Common Starling, Sturnus ![European Starling](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426532/objects/4566.jpg) ## Appearance The European Starling has glossy black feathers, shimmering with iridescent purples and greens. In winter, its body becomes speckled with many white spots, and its beak is yellow in summer but dark in winter, making it distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Sturnidae - **Genus:** Sturnus ## Interesting facts - A baby starling can double its weight in just six days after hatching! - Starlings gather in groups of over a million, creating amazing sky dances! - Starlings introduced to North America over 130 years ago are now widespread! - They use their strong beaks to probe soil, finding tasty insects underground. ## Special abilities - **Master Mimicry:** European Starlings can imitate calls of other birds and even human sounds because of their complex vocal cords. - **Aerial Acrobatics:** European Starlings perform mesmerizing 'murmurations' in huge flocks, flying together in synchronized patterns. - **Diet Dynamo:** European Starlings have a flexible diet, switching between insects and fruits, which helps them find food year-round. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 19-23 cm - **Wingspan:** 31-44 cm - **Weight:** 0.06-0.09 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 77 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-6 - **Incubation:** 12-13 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These adaptable birds enjoy a varied diet of insects in summer and fruits and seeds later in the year. - **Age differences:** Young birds mainly eat insects for quick growth; adults have a broader diet. - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Caterpillars, Beetles, Spiders, Berries, Seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — Sparrowhawks hunt starlings. - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Starlings forage for worms. - **Eats:** Wild Cherry (*Prunus avium*) — Starlings consume its fruits. - **Parasitizes:** Common Cuckoo (*Cuculus canorus*) — Cuckoos lay eggs in starling nests. - **Eats:** [Common Cockchafer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-cockchafer) (*Melolontha melolontha*) — Starlings eat its larvae. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low European Starlings are friendly birds, but it's best to observe them from a distance and not disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Starling? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is European Starling? 19-23 cm ### What is European Starling's wingspan? 31-44 cm ### How much does European Starling weigh? 0.06-0.09 kg ### How long does European Starling live? 2-7 years ### How fast can European Starling move? 77 km/h ### What does European Starling eat? These adaptable birds enjoy a varied diet of insects in summer and fruits and seeds later in the year. ### Where is European Starling usually found? Open fields, parks, and urban areas ## Where to spot - [Arnold Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arnold-arboretum) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Batesville East Main Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/batesville-east-main-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Belltown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belltown-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Blackstone Boulevard–Cole Avenue–Grotto Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackstone-boulevard-cole-avenue-grotto-avenue-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Blake Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blake-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see European Starling](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-starling) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [European Starling: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-starling)