This morning a loud flock of starlings descended upon the patio and feeders, gulping up every seed or peanut in sight. They are beautiful gluttons, not my favorite, but this one is very handsome.They're not native to the US, but have certainly made themselves at home here.
"First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer. For much of the year, they wheel through the sky and mob lawns in big, noisy flocks. "
allaboutbirds.org
"There are probably more European Starlings in the United States than any other species. But there shouldn't be any at all—they're invasives. ... Large flocks can damage crops, and their waste can spread invasive seeds and transmit disease. They're loud and annoying, and they're everywhere." Audubon.org
Starling Murmurations
For the Record,
This day came in cold with a skiff of snow
I retired from public school teaching after happily spending twenty eight years playing in Kindergarten. Now I fill my days watching cat antics, taking endless...
They are actually so beautiful. Yes, people have done a lot of harm bringing non-native species with them wherever the go/colonise etc. They are actually native here, but now declining horribly, so on our red list. Can we have some of yours back please? 😉
