breeding adult; purplish-green sheen, yellowish bill (California; 2006-03-11)


Common (European) Starling
Sturnus vulgaris

Native Range: Eurasia

Notes: widely introduced from its native range to other parts of the world, including North America where it competes with woodpeckers and some other natives for nesting sites in cavities or tree hollows; feeds on berries as well as insects; often found in urban and suburban settings; no sexual dimorphism.

nonbreeding adult; assuming darker bill, spotted body (place; 2006-12-28)
molting juvenile; heavily spotted yet still some gray (California; 2007-09-15)

nonbreeding adult eating berry (California; 2007-09-15)
young-of-the-year juvenile; charcoal gray (California; 2010-05-01)

triangular look of wings in flight; short square tail (California; 2008-10-15)
walking adult in full breeding condition (California; 2008-03-01)

nonbreeders perched on a wire (California; 2007-10-06)
adult in breeding condition; note the yellow bill (Poland; 2012-05-30)