European starling

Male house sparrow

European starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)

European starlings are robin‐sized, short‐tailed blackbirds about 8½ inches long, and weigh about 3 ounces. Plumage color changes with gender and season. In summer, adults are glossy black with light speckles. In winter, birds have larger speckles, making them look browner from a distance. The dark pointed beak becomes bright yellow in spring. Both males and females have pinkish‐red color on their legs.
Other native “blackbirds” (e.g., red‐winged blackbird and common grackle) are protected by federal and state regulations.

Species Range
European starlings are found throughout the northeast, especially where there are people and human‐altered environments.

These birds can carry and transmit diseases that are infectious to humans. Diseases of particular concern include aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, psittacosis, and salmonellosis. In addition, all three bird species may pose significant hazards with bird aircraft strikes at airports

General Biology

  • Reproduction– Female starlings lay 4 to 6 eggs per clutch and can also nest twice a year.
  • Nesting/Denning Cover- Nests of European starlings are less conspicuous and usually associated with a cavity. Sometimes cavities inhabited by starlings can be identified by the fan‐shaped spray of feces on the wall below the opening. While preferring to construct nests in cavities, starlings may construct very large nests as they try to fill a void
  • Habitat– in both urban and rural areas.
  • Food Habits – eat grains, seeds, and suet, increase consumption of insects during the nesting season.
  • Voice, Sounds, Tracks, and Signs -Calls of starlings are quite diverse as they can mimic the sounds of other birds.

See Damage Prevention and Control Methods for Unprotected Birds The information on this webpage is based on the contents of the Wildlife Control Operator Professional Training Program published by the National Wildlife Control Training Program.

 Starling droppings on a sidewalk.

Starling droppings on a sidewalk.

Starling nest in an attic