European Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris) Emma B

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Emma B. Pitcher & Allen T. Chartier

Grandville, Kent Co., MI 4/29/2006 © John Van Orman

(Click to view a comparison of Atlas I to II) The European Starling, a native of Europe and complex, as they are in Europe. Millions of starlings migrate to the southern U.S., western Asia, was introduced into North particularly juveniles, but large numbers also America in 1890 and 1891 when approximately over-winter at the northernmost reaches of its 100 birds were set free in New York City (Cabe range (Cabe 1993). 1993), though sightings hundreds of miles from release sites prior to 1890 suggests multiple Distribution release sites (Ardia 2008). By 1970 it had The European Starling was first observed in reached Alaska (Cabe 1993). A very adaptable, southwestern Michigan in 1924 (Beebe 1925), gregarious bird, starlings are tolerant of humans, and it had spread into the UP by 1931 (Wood consume a wide range of foods, and can utilize a 1951). Human agriculture has provided more wide variety of nesting sites. The result is that it open habitat as well as nesting sites on human is now found year-round across North America, structures in addition to food sources based on often in very large numbers. Starling sexes are certain crops. This has improved their ability to similar in appearance with stocky bodies, glossy survive to the point that they are now considered black plumage with purplish and greenish an agricultural pest, as well as competing with iridescence, squared tail, pointed wings and long native cavity-nesting species (Cabe 1993). bill. A yellow bill in spring helps differentiate starlings from North American blackbirds, and Starling populations are denser around cities and males develop a pale blue patch at the base of towns where enormous, noisy, congenial groups the lower mandible while females develop a forage and roost together. During MBBA I, pinkish patch (Pyle 1997). Starlings forage starlings were recorded in 80% of all townships actively for invertebrates, seeds, fruit and plant statewide, with 55% of UP, 86% of NLP, and material in urban areas, mown farm fields and 97% of SLP townships occupied. Results of pastures, garbage dumps, and at livestock MBBA II show a decrease to 73% statewide, feeding sites (Cabe 1993). Starlings are found in 42% in the UP, 78% in the NLP, and 96% in the large numbers throughout North America. SLP. In the UP, where the greatest change was Common residents of disturbed urban and noted, starling distribution is now less extensive agricultural areas, they are found in slightly in the westernmost portions, including much of smaller numbers in deep woods and in the Baraga, Iron, Houghton, Ontonagon, and forested and mountainous areas of the west. Gogebic counties, and in parts of Luce, Migration patterns in North America are

© 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Emma B. Pitcher & Allen T. Chartier Chippewa, and Mackinac counties in the eastern cavities in trees. These cavities are filled with UP. Despite these changes, the European slovenly nest cups 5-7 cm deep lined with grass, Starling continues to be one of the most feathers, rootlets, and a wide variety of widespread birds in the state. discarded human refuse (Cabe 1993).

In surrounding states, first atlas efforts found Females spend more time than males incubating European Starlings in 81% of all quads in eggs and brooding young, and are exclusively Wisconsin (Temple 2006), 90% of all blocks in on nests at night. Males help in feeding young. Illinois (Kleen et al. 2004), 98% of all blocks in Clutches containing five eggs are common. Indiana (Keller and Castrale 1998), and in 100% Young are usually fledged at 21 days. Second of all blocks in Ohio (Peterjohn and Rice 1991). broods are attempted in many areas when first Ontario noted similar overall distribution clutches fledge early, but not attempted north of between their two atlases. But they found a 13% 48 degrees latitude (Cabe 1993). decline in probability of observation, apparently correlated with a decline in open and Abundance and Population Trends agricultural habitats as forests have filled in (Click to view trends from the BBS) former farmland and other open areas, thus In its native range, the European Starling is reducing available habitat (Cadman 2007). New declining. From a strictly numeric perspective, York reported a decrease from 87% total blocks the introduction of the starling to North America occupied in their first atlas to 85% in their is one of the most successful of any bird species, second (Ardia 2008). increasing from the original 100 individuals to more than 200 million in less than a century Breeding Biology (Cabe 1993). This increase has had negative Because of the noise, large numbers, crop effects on native bird populations, as well as damage, risks to human health, and the negative economic effects to human agriculture. aggressive usurping of available cavities as well BBS data indicate that the Upper Midwest east as nests of other bird species, starlings are to Ontario and New York, has the highest considered an undesirable nuisance. (Cabe, density of European Starlings in North America 1993). The economic importance of European (Cabe 1993, Cadman 2007, Sauer et al. 2008). Starling, both in its original range and in the Continent-wide, range expansions appear to U.S., has resulted in it being studied more have slowed and population trends are no longer extensively than almost any other bird species, rapidly increasing but instead appear to have and therefore has increased our general stabilized (Sauer et al. 2008). knowledge of avian biology. Michigan cities and towns report abundant Starlings are generally monogamous. In late numbers of resident starlings, especially in the winter after establishing nesting territories, SLP where at least five counties confirmed males attract mates by singing. Females choose breeding populations in every township in both mates and may make choices based on male atlases. Local bird counts consistently list song (Cabe 1993). Both sexes develop brood starlings as the most abundant species. Highest patches. Males closely guard established mates densities were observed in the most urbanized during nest building, egg laying, and early regions. BBS trends for Michigan show a slight, incubation periods. Nests are placed within non-significant decline in populations similar to natural and man-made cavities, including the stabilization noted within the region, and the buildings, billboards, nest boxes, cliffs, burrows, continent as a whole (Sauer et al. 2008). cavities usurped from woodpeckers, and natural Reforestation of open areas in the coming

© 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Emma B. Pitcher & Allen T. Chartier decades may slightly reduce suitable habitat for Cadman, M.D. 2007. European Starling. In European Starlings. Cadman, M.D., D.A. Sutherland, G.G. Beck, D. Lepage, and A.R. Couturier (eds.). 2007. Conservation Needs Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, As a non-native bird species, the European 2001-2005. Bird Studies Canada, Starling is not protected in Michigan, nor Environment Canada, Ontario Field anywhere else within the U.S. The main Ornithologists, Ontario Ministry of Natural problem large starling populations present to Resources, and Ontario Nature. Toronto, Michigan’s avifauna is their intense competition Ontario. for tree cavities and nesting boxes with native Keller, C.E., and J.S. Castrale. 1998. European species such as moderate sized woodpeckers, Starling. In Castrale, J.S., E.M. Hopkins, Eastern Bluebirds, and Great Crested and C.E. Keller. 1998. Atlas of Breeding Flycatchers, although a thorough analysis of this Birds of Indiana. Indiana Department of only confirmed negative effects on the Yellow- Natural Resources, Division of Fish and bellied Sapsucker (Ardia 2008). This suggests Wildlife, Nongame and Endangered that impacts may be less than previously Wildlife Program. Indianapolis, IN. thought, or that more detailed study is needed. Kleen, V.M., L. Cordle, and R.A. Montgomery. The fact that European Starlings are parasitized 2004. The Illinois Breeding Bird Atlas. by Brown-headed Cowbirds though Special Publication No. 26. Illinois Natural infrequently, and can successfully raise cowbird History Survey. Champaign, IL. young in addition to their own is an additional, Peterjohn, B.G., and D.L. Rice. 1991. The though likely insignificant, impact on native Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas. Ohio Department bird populations. Damage to human food crops, of Natural Resources. Columbus, OH. and human health hazards from droppings in Pyle, P. 1997. Identification Guide to North urbanized areas, are well known and often American Birds. Part I. Slate Creek Press. significant. In both urban and agricultural Bolinas, CA. settings, repeated efforts to reduce unwanted Sauer, J.R., J.E. Hines, and J. Fallon. 2008. populations (e.g., shooting, trapping, use of The North American breeding bird survey, pesticides) have had limited short-term success results and analysis 1966-2007. Version (Cabe, 1993). 5.15.2008. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Laurel, MD. Temple, S.A. 2006. European Starling. In Literature Cited Cutright, N.J., B.R. Harriman, and R.W. Howe. 2006. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ardia, D.R. 2008. European Starling (Sturnus Wisconsin. Wisconsin Society for vulgaris). In McGowan, K.J., and K. Corwin Ornithology. Waukesha, WI. (eds.). 2008. The Second Atlas of Breeding Wood, N.A. 1951. The Birds of Michigan. MP Birds in New York State. Cornell University 75. University of Michigan Museum of Press, Ithaca, NY. Zoology. Ann Arbor, MI. Beebe, R. 1925. Migration Notes at Detroit. Bird-Lore 27: 106. Cabe, P.R. 1993. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). In The Birds of North America, No. 48. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.) The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, Suggested Citation PA.

© 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Emma B. Pitcher & Allen T. Chartier Pitcher, E.B. and A.T. Chartier. 2011. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). In Chartier, A.T., J.J. Baldy, and J.M. Brenneman (eds.). 2010-2011. The Second Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas. Kalamazoo Nature Center. Kalamazoo, MI. Accessed online at: .