The well known Hitchcock film 'The Birds' had scenes where large numbers of birds perched on buildings or fences before swooping down to attack passing people. Well, yesterday after a hospital visit with my mum, we saw this scene when we arrived back at her house, so we quickly made sure that all the doors and windows were closed - one never knows!
These are starlings. Smaller than blackbirds, with a short tail, a pointed head and triangular wings, starlings look black at a distance but when seen closer they are very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens. Their flight is fast and direct and they walk and run confidently on the ground. Noisy and gregarious, starlings spend a lot of the year in flocks. They are still one of the commonest of garden birds in the UK.
Mum has often seen large numbers of them flying in swirls and circles and making a very attractive display, although sadly they didn't perform while I was there.
Great shot, but as someone who had to have treatment for a severe bird phobia some years back, I really don't like it! I think it was the Hitchcock film that set me off in the first place!
A wonderful shot of all the birds. they seem to gather at this time and hopefully they fly south soon. I posted a picture of some crackles. I think they're in the same family.
Thank you Gayanne - a few years ago starlings used to gather under one of the bridges in York, and then fly up, over and back the other side forming a tunnel to walk through. Sadly I never got a shot of them then.
We get starlings down here too, and from your description, they behave exactly the same, and they also have the metallic colours!
Thank you very much for the fav. You make my day.
Thank you Therese - they are lovely to see when they fly in huge flocks.
Ian
Thank you Molly - I understand your phobia, we'll try and keep the starlings up here!
Ian
Thank you Lee - a multi storey perch too!
Ian
Thank you Graham, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Ferry - apparently they gather here every day around the same time.
Ian
Thank you Lynda - we sometimes see them in huge flocks, which is a very impressive sight.
Ian
Thank you Gayanne - a few years ago starlings used to gather under one of the bridges in York, and then fly up, over and back the other side forming a tunnel to walk through. Sadly I never got a shot of them then.
Ian
Thank you Junan - it's amazing how many there were here and on neighbouring houses.
Ian
Thank you Angela, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
Thank you Laura, I'll be staying with my mum for a few days soon after her next hospital treatment, so perhaps a shot of them in flight then.
Ian
Thank you Brian - they are quite a sight when they all gather like this.
Ian
Thank you Sarah - I love their formation flying too!
Ian
Thank you Bruni - Starlings are here in the UK all year, with numbers higher in the winter as some migrate here from other areas.
Ian
Thank you Bob - they are apparently one of the most common birds in the world.
Ian
Thank you Malc - they are quite impressive in huge flocks when they fly.
Ian