Bird 🐦
🐦
Sturnus vulgaris
| Size | 21 cm Similar to a blackbird |
|---|---|
| Weight | 75–90 g About the weight of a small orange |
| Lifespan | 5 years |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Both iridescent green-purple; females have small white spots in winter and a pale base to the lower bill |
| Habitat | Open farmland, urban areas, parks, woodland edges |
| Best time | Autumn and winter for murmurations |
| Conservation | UK: Red LC |
Did you know?
Starlings perform spectacular aerial murmurations — flocks of thousands that move as one fluid shape, confusing predators with hypnotic formations
Starlings perform spectacular aerial murmurations — flocks of thousands that move as one fluid shape, confusing predators with hypnotic formations
More for experts
Each starling tracks its seven nearest neighbours simultaneously, creating a leaderless flock that behaves like a single fluid organism
Often confused with
Blackbird (no spots, longer tail), Jackdaw (grey nape, pale eyes)
Blackbird (no spots, longer tail), Jackdaw (grey nape, pale eyes)