Starlings
Key
Features of Starlings
The
starling is a bird which is commonly seen in both urban
and rural areas. This species has a distinctive distress
call.
Breeding
Nests are usually built in holes in trees or buildings
and they will readily take over nest boxes. The area
around the nest entrance is usually streaked with dropping.
There may be 2 broods in a season, one in early April
and one in mid-May.
Distribution & Roosting
The population of starlings in this country increases
considerably in late September/early November due to
immigrant birds coming in from Europe and north-west
Russia. The birds return from mid-February to the end
of April. Starlings will fly considerable distances
to feed, up to 20-30 miles. Regular flight lines are
used between feeding sites and roosts. Tens of thousands
of birds may be present in a large roost and the noise
and fouling produced is considerable.
Feeding
Starlings are mainly insectivorous during the breeding
season, with leather jackets being an important part
of the diet. In winter they are omnivorous and will
feed on invertebrates, stubble, roots, stock foods and
scavenge at refuse tips.
