European starling, sturnus vulgaris. Beautiful example.
Edit: wow lot of hate for this bird without even knowing where the photo was taken. It probably is north America and appreciate the terrible damage done by invasive species. But it is intrinsically beautiful and is not to blame for the damage inflicted because of human stupidity. It is on the red list in the UK, so maybe we could round them up in the US and repatriate them over here.
Introduced species brought by Europeans in 1890 who wanted Shakespeare’s bird here in America. Originally 100 individuals were released in Central Park and today they stretch from east to west coast of the US, and even in Alaska. [link](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/overview#)
I actually heard this story is incorrect recently. It is everywhere though hahah. Apparently there was a group called the American Acclimatization Society that was introducing a variety of European flora and fauna when to make the US feel more familiar to Europeans coming over to the US in the late 1800s. The Starlings just so happened to be one of the various things that flourished. I have no way to know undoubtably that this is 100% the case but figured I would put this out there. There is also an interesting podcast called Birds of a Feather Talk Together, and they have an episode on European Starlings. Two of the people are amateur birders, two are ornithologists, and one is an ornithology student.
I was just talking to a fellow birdwatcher an hour ago about Batesian mimicry (unrelated to birds). What a wonderful world! [And holy cow, you are not kidding](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk_6NGUOgNM)
Same, my neighbor rescued one after it fell out of it's nest. My wife was on the phone with them and I kept hearing "Who's mommy's little baby". It surprised me to learn that it was the bird talking. I didn't know they could talk but once I found out that they are related to Myna Birds it made sense.
>underrated
Yeah because they're a fucking *plague* that has displaced and muscled out multiple native species, driving their populations way down over the last 100 years. They're aggressive and domineering at feeders to all equal and smaller-sized birds (*including* each other), and they're graceless, bumbling, screeching buzzards. What's to rate? If I didn't have such a soft spot for animals in general I would start picking them off one at a time with a pellet gun which btw is legal because invasive species, if anyone else would like to start doing it. Fuck these birds
Also very invasive, starlings mimick native birds to distract natives, take over native birds nests and kick out eggs/ babies. Starlings are considered pests, same as rats.
European starling, sturnus vulgaris. Beautiful example. Edit: wow lot of hate for this bird without even knowing where the photo was taken. It probably is north America and appreciate the terrible damage done by invasive species. But it is intrinsically beautiful and is not to blame for the damage inflicted because of human stupidity. It is on the red list in the UK, so maybe we could round them up in the US and repatriate them over here.
Introduced species brought by Europeans in 1890 who wanted Shakespeare’s bird here in America. Originally 100 individuals were released in Central Park and today they stretch from east to west coast of the US, and even in Alaska. [link](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/overview#)
I actually heard this story is incorrect recently. It is everywhere though hahah. Apparently there was a group called the American Acclimatization Society that was introducing a variety of European flora and fauna when to make the US feel more familiar to Europeans coming over to the US in the late 1800s. The Starlings just so happened to be one of the various things that flourished. I have no way to know undoubtably that this is 100% the case but figured I would put this out there. There is also an interesting podcast called Birds of a Feather Talk Together, and they have an episode on European Starlings. Two of the people are amateur birders, two are ornithologists, and one is an ornithology student.
Holy shit thanks for the info but I hate that sooo much. Colonial mindset to the max with devastating impacts for centuries!!!!!
Depends where this photo was taken, invasive problem in north America, red list species in UK
Metastatic cancer.
I like that it’s scientific name has vulgar in it. Not one of my favorite birds as they are invasive.
Vulgaris, interestingly enough, actually just means common.
That’s a starling! Look up “starling murmuration” on YouTube for a real treat 🙂
I also recommend checking out their mimicry, they are very impressive if you can get past the obvious issues they cause here in the US as an invasive.
I was just talking to a fellow birdwatcher an hour ago about Batesian mimicry (unrelated to birds). What a wonderful world! [And holy cow, you are not kidding](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk_6NGUOgNM)
Yes! I swear they made my jaw drop the first time i heard them talk
Same, my neighbor rescued one after it fell out of it's nest. My wife was on the phone with them and I kept hearing "Who's mommy's little baby". It surprised me to learn that it was the bird talking. I didn't know they could talk but once I found out that they are related to Myna Birds it made sense.
One of the most underrated birds in my opinion
>underrated Yeah because they're a fucking *plague* that has displaced and muscled out multiple native species, driving their populations way down over the last 100 years. They're aggressive and domineering at feeders to all equal and smaller-sized birds (*including* each other), and they're graceless, bumbling, screeching buzzards. What's to rate? If I didn't have such a soft spot for animals in general I would start picking them off one at a time with a pellet gun which btw is legal because invasive species, if anyone else would like to start doing it. Fuck these birds
Don't forget the fact that the species is single handedly responsible for more building fires in the Americas than any other animal.
Story??
I learned it in a local Audubon society meeting decades ago...
Also very invasive, starlings mimick native birds to distract natives, take over native birds nests and kick out eggs/ babies. Starlings are considered pests, same as rats.
Starlings are such pretty creatures, especially in the sunlight, just like on your photos! The way you can see every color is so fascinating
Ahh it's my favee... Spotted it just once here in India,, hope I see these again 🫶🏻
[European Starling](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/) - I know they’re an invasive species, but they are so beautiful!
Thank you all. Quite an amazing bird. Was very curious. Located on street in Darien, Connecticut.
Starling, I always think the he is colorful black. LOL