european starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Sturnus vulgaris is native to Eurasia. European starlings were first brought to the United States in 1890 by a Shakespeare enthusiast.
Life Cycle
Breeding adult European starlings have iridescent black plumage with a yellow bill in both sexes. However, males have a blue bill base while females have a pink bill base. Juveniles are gray-brown in plumage with a brown bill. At approximately 7.5-8.5 in. (18-22 cm) in length and 2.5-3 oz in weight, starlings are stocky in form. S. vulgaris inhabit disturbed, open areas such as cities, fields, and farms. Male European starlings establish a territory and create a nest to attract females. Nest sites occur in natural or man-made cavities. Females lay 4-6 eggs with an incubation period of 12 days. S. vulgaris have strong reproductive ability with two broods per year.
Distribution
S. vulgaris populations have spread across North America making them common and widespread.
Control Efforts
European starlings are aggressive and bold thereby allowing them to outcompete native species for nesting habitat. Control methods include exclusion, in the form of structural modification and plastic netting, and sound devices may be effective at preventing the establishment of new territories.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/european-starling
Sturnus vulgaris is native to Eurasia. European starlings were first brought to the United States in 1890 by a Shakespeare enthusiast.
Life Cycle
Breeding adult European starlings have iridescent black plumage with a yellow bill in both sexes. However, males have a blue bill base while females have a pink bill base. Juveniles are gray-brown in plumage with a brown bill. At approximately 7.5-8.5 in. (18-22 cm) in length and 2.5-3 oz in weight, starlings are stocky in form. S. vulgaris inhabit disturbed, open areas such as cities, fields, and farms. Male European starlings establish a territory and create a nest to attract females. Nest sites occur in natural or man-made cavities. Females lay 4-6 eggs with an incubation period of 12 days. S. vulgaris have strong reproductive ability with two broods per year.
Distribution
S. vulgaris populations have spread across North America making them common and widespread.
Control Efforts
European starlings are aggressive and bold thereby allowing them to outcompete native species for nesting habitat. Control methods include exclusion, in the form of structural modification and plastic netting, and sound devices may be effective at preventing the establishment of new territories.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/european-starling
Resources
- Global Invasive Species Database - Invasive Species Specialist Group
- Animal Diversity Web - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
- Wikipedia - Wikimedia Foundation, Inc
- Florida's Introduced Birds - University of Florida
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
- Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
- Florida Invasive Species Partnership
- Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
- New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- To be proposed for MISC
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Aves |
| Order: Passeriformes |
| Family: Sturnidae |
| Genus: Sturnus |
| Sturnus vulgaris |
References
Common Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.
Scientific Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.