European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
- Class
- Bird
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 230,169
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The common starling, also known simply as the starling in Great Britain and Ireland, and as the European starling in North America, is a medium-sized passerine bird in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is about 20 cm (8 in) long and has glossy black plumage with a metallic sheen, which is speckled with white at some times of the year. The legs are pink and the bill is black in winter and yellow in summer; young birds have browner plumage than the adults. Its gift for mimicry has been noted in literature including the Mabinogion and the works of Pliny the Elder and William Shakespeare.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Common starling”.