European Starlings in New Jersey
When Europeans are present in New Jersey, when they nest, which native New Jersey plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 6a–7b yard.
- Status in New Jersey
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–June
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6a–7b
When to expect Europeans in New Jersey
European Starlings live in New Jersey all year. Moderate winters; Cape May and the shore hold many half-hardy birds. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward fruit, grain and suet.
Humid continental to subtropical, from the Highlands in the north to the Pine Barrens and Cape May.
Nesting in New Jersey
Across New Jersey, Europeans typically nest from April–June. Nest site: cavities of any kind. Females lay 4–6 eggs, incubate for 12 days, and young leave the nest after 21–23 days.
Hot, humid summers; Cape May is a world-class migration funnel.
- European Starlings don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as flowering dogwood, eastern red cedar, serviceberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.
Native New Jersey plants that attract Europeans
Of the regional native plants we track for New Jersey, these 8 provide food or cover Europeans use:
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Feeding Europeans through the New Jersey year
Non-native; starlings take over woodpecker and bluebird cavities. Upside-down suet feeders deter them.
- Best foods: Suet, Cracked corn.
- In New Jersey's winter: Moderate winters; Cape May and the shore hold many half-hardy birds.
Full diet breakdown for Europeans · Best feeder for Europeans
Frequently asked
Are Europeans in New Jersey year-round?
Yes. European Starlings are year-round residents in New Jersey.
When do Europeans nest in New Jersey?
Nesting in New Jersey typically runs April–June, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 12 days.
What native plants attract Europeans in New Jersey?
Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, White oak, Black cherry are native plants in New Jersey that provide food or cover for Europeans.
European Starlings in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Jersey
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
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Jersey
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
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.