Common Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Family: Rhabdornis, Starlings, and Mynas · Status: Vagrant · Size: 20–23 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds across Eurasia from Europe east to Mongolia and northeastern China. Non-breeding range extends to North Africa and northern India. Introduced in many countries. Vagrant to Southeast Asia.

Identification

Long bill, pointed wings, and short tail. Breeding adults are overall dark with purple and green iridescence; bill yellow with pale blue base in males, pale pink in females. Non-breeding adults show a speckled appearance from pale feather tips. Juveniles are uniform grey-brown with varying pale-tipped dark feathers. Smaller and shorter-tailed than Chinese Blackbird; lacks red eye and has yellow bill and reddish legs compared to Asian Glossy Starling.

Habitat

Open habitats including fields, agricultural areas, and seashore.

Behaviour

Roosts in large numbers, forming murmurations. Pale feather tips wear away in spring to produce glossy breeding plumage.