Starlings (Sturnidae)
Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
- Length
- 21 cm
- Weight
- 78 g
- Clutch
- 4–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 12 days
- Fledging
- 21 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per year
- Nest box
- 45 mm hole, 3 m+ up
Identification
- Glossy purple-green sheen
- White-spotted in winter
- Short tail, triangular wings in flight
Clicks, whistles and mimicry.
Diet and garden feeding
Leatherjackets and other soil insects; fruit.
- Best foods: Suet, Mealworms.
- UK Starlings have declined by two-thirds since 1970; they are now a Red-listed species.
Nesting
Cavities in roofs and trees; boxes.
Starlings by country
England
Resident all year · nests April–June
Scotland
Resident all year · nests May–June
Wales
Resident all year · nests April–June
Northern Ireland
Resident all year · nests April–June
Ireland
Resident all year · nests April–June
Netherlands
Resident all year · nests April–June
Belgium
Resident all year · nests April–June
Germany
Resident all year · nests April–June
France
Resident all year · nests April–June
Denmark
Resident all year · nests April–June
Sweden
Summer visitor · nests May–June
Norway
Summer visitor · nests May–June
Finland
Summer visitor · nests May–June
Spain
Winter visitor
Portugal
Winter visitor
Italy
Resident all year · nests March–June
Austria
Resident all year · nests April–June
Switzerland
Resident all year · nests April–June
Poland
Resident all year · nests April–June
Sources
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.