European Starling

(Western Meadowlark on the left & European Starling on the right)

It is unusual to only see one European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). They usually travel in enormous flocks, sometimes sending out a scout or two but this was the only one I saw.

Native to Eurasia, all 200 million European Starlings found in North America today are descendants of approximately 100 birds released by Eugene Schieffelin in Central Park in 1890. The industrialist wanted to establish in the US all the birds mentioned in the works of Shakespeare. They are now found in virtually every area of North America.


Amazingly, it took only until 1924 for the first European Starling to find its way to Texas. These birds are almost universally despised and regarded as pests. They are officially listed as an "invasive species" in Texas. Their destruction knows no bounds as they threaten biodiversity and cause massive economic damage all over the world.

The European Starling is a cavity-nesting bird. It can greatly effect native species where it aggressively competes for nest sites. For instance, in North America the Purple Martin is now widely dependent on artificial nest houses.

In many countries European Starlings cause massive crop damage. They eat and foul food meant for livestock. Their waste (poop) is particularly corrosive and a massive flocks can ruin human & animal water supplies. 1.7 million starlings - more than any other nuisance species - were poisoned, shot, and trapped by US government agents in 2008.


In case you're wondering, the Shakespearean reference that inspired Eugene Schieffelin to introduce the European Starling to North America is from Henry IV:

The king forbade my tongue to speak of Mortimer. But I will find him when he is asleep, and in his ear I'll holler 'Mortimer!' Nay I'll have a starling shall be taught to speak nothing but Mortimer, and give it to him to keep his anger still in motion.