Where’s Wildlife · Bird Field Guide

European Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Pronounced (approx.): STUR-nus vul-GAIR-iss

A short-tailed, social bird that often feeds in lawns and gathers in noisy flocks.

Three Identification Clues

A stocky body, short tail, and long pointed bill.

Breeding adults have glossy dark plumage and a yellow bill; fresh winter plumage is heavily spotted.

Young birds are mostly brown. In flight, the pointed wings help distinguish starlings from many blackbirds.

Showing all 8 photographs.

Observation records are not a complete seasonal range map.