Starlings (Sturnidae)
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris. Insects from lawns, fruit and grain.
Starlings (Sturnidae)European StarlingSturnus vulgaris
- Scientific name
- Sturnus vulgaris
- Length
- 7.9–9.1 in
- Weight
- 2.1–3.4 oz
- Nest
- Cavities of any kind
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 4–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 12 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Glossy black with purple-green sheen in summer
- White-spotted in fall and winter
- Yellow bill in breeding season; short tail
Voice
Clicks, whistles and mimicry.
Diet and feeding
Insects from lawns, fruit and grain.
European Starlings by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–June |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | May–June |
| California | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Maine | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Montana | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | May–June |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | May–June |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | May–June |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | April–June |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | May–June |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–June |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Utah | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Washington | Year-round resident | April–June |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | May–June |
Frequently asked
What do Europeans eat?
Insects from lawns, fruit and grain. At feeders: suet, cracked corn.
How big is a European Starling?
7.9–9.1 in long and 2.1–3.4 oz.
Do Europeans use birdhouses?
No. Cavities of any kind.
Sources
- European Starling — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- European Starling life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- European Starling — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.