# Common Starling (*Sturnus vulgaris*)

> The common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a glossy black passerine native to Eurasia and introduced worldwide, famous for winter murmurations. Adults weigh about 80 g, eat insects and fruit, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Native to Eurasia; introduced widely including North America and Australia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/european-starling/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Passeriformes
- **Family:** Sturnidae
- **Genus:** Sturnus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Sturnus vulgaris |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Habitat | Farms, towns, and grassland |
| Lifespan | 5–15 years |
| Weight | 0.07–0.09 kg |
| Top speed | up to 70 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Iridescent speckled plumage

Breeding adults are glossy black with green-purple sheen; winter birds wear white spots. Bill colour shifts yellow to dark with season. Flight is fast and direct with short triangular wings.

## Lawn grubs and orchard fruit

Starlings probe lawns for leatherjackets and take grain, berries, and orchard fruit. Parents feed chicks mainly insects during the breeding season.

## Eurasian native, global invader

Native across Europe and western Asia; introduced to North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Urban roosts of millions create spectacular evening murmurations in the UK.

## Pest or performer

Least Concern and hugely abundant. Farmers blame crop damage and livestock feed loss; ecologists note competition with native cavity nesters where introduced.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a starling murmuration?

Thousands of birds swirl in coordinated flocks before roosting — a winter spectacle at dusk.

### Are starlings native to North America?

No — about 100 birds released in New York in the 1890s founded today's millions.

### Why do starlings have white spots in winter?

Pale feather tips wear off by spring, revealing glossy breeding plumage.

### Can starlings mimic sounds?

Yes — they copy other birds, phones, and mechanical noises, especially in spring song.

### Do starlings harm native birds?

Where introduced, they compete for nest cavities and food, though impacts vary by region.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/european-starling/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.