Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They occur naturally, from Europe, Asia and Africa, to northern Australia and the islands of the tropical Pacific.
Starlings have strong feet, their flight is strong and direct. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit.
Starlings do live around human habitation, and are effectively omnivores. Living off, mostly insects (especally crane-fly larvae), fruit and seeds, mostly on ground, often near cattle Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. Most species nest in holes, laying blue eggs.
Noisy and gregarious, starlings spend a lot of the year in flocks. Still one of the commonest of garden birds, its decline elsewhere makes it a Red List species.
Number in Britain
9.5 million
Conservation Status UK
Red
Status in UK
Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor
Length
22 cm
Wingspan
40 cm
Weight
78 g
Habitat
Farmland, woodland, towns
Egg Size
30x21 mm
Egg Weight
7.0 g
Clutch Size
4-5 eggs
Incubation
12-15 days
Fledging
19-22 days
Number of broods
1 or 2
First clutches laid
Mid April
Age at First Breeding
2 year
Typical Lifespan
5 years