Starlings in the Garden
A fine crisp coloured bird, wonderful to watch - but a thief !!
Photo: A young Starling in early August © Down the Lane
The Starling is on the RSPB Red List
To some, the dying population of Starlings may be a good thing, they will bully other Birds and take any available food for themselves. But as with anything on the Red List, it is important to fight for their survival. If they're there, they're supposed to be.
I very rarely get a Starling in the Garden (famous last words!!) but was lucky enough to get the above photo in someone's elses Garden close by. After they're born and until about September they have not developed the more distinct black colour with almost overall white spots and yellow beak.
Although they appear black, if you get a closer view of them you're see purples and green in amongst the feathers, the reason for them to have a seemingly sheen to them.
They like to live in Groups and will often swarm making for a spectacular display of areo dynamics.
Starling's build their nests from grass in holes either in trees or walls.
They are very fast and direct flyer's and you'll see them swooping on to the Grass to dig for worms and insects, slightly similar to the Green Woodpecker.
Their demise is once again down to pesticides, less open grassland and nests being destroyed through building work and 'improvements'.
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