Common starling
Common starling Sturnus vulgaris Castilian: Estornino pinto Catalan: Estornell vulgar Gallego: Estorniño pinto Euskera: Araba zozo pikarta CLASIFICACIÓN: Orden: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae Migratory status: Permanent resident CONSERVATION STATUS: In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Not Evaluated”.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. listen song THREATS It is not threatened, although it is affected by agricultural intensification and hybridisation with the common starling. |
Length / size: 21-22 cm / 37-42 cm Identification: The same size as a thrush with black plumage that is full of yellowish-white dots with a bright metallic green colour. Its tail is short, its legs are brownish-pink, and its bill is long and is yellow in summer and black in winter. Song: Large repertoire of sibilant sounds, clicks, chirps, etc. It is a very skilled imitator. Diet: In spring and summer it feeds on invertebrates (they make up the food for the chicks), while in autumn and winter it is practically vegetarian. Reproduction: It is a gregarious species during the entire year and pairs can be monogamous or polygamous. The breeding period begins in March with the construction of the nest in a rock wall or a hole in a tree. The incubation and feeding it done by the mother. When the chicks leave the nest, they form groups with specimens of the same age. HABITAT Its habitat is variable, although it normally occupies peripherial urban areas with open and flat areas, such as irrigated farmland. DISTRIBUTION In Spain: During winter it is distributed throughout the entire peninsula, and the breeding population is primarily located in Catalonia, Navarre, Basque Country, and the Cantabrian coastline to Asturias. In Castile and León: During breeding season, it is found in Valladolid and Burgos, but its habitat is expanding inside the community. When wintering, it is numerous in all the provinces, principally in farming areas where specimens roost together. Movements and migrations: In the peninsula, it behaves as a partially migratory or resident species. During winter, specimens from central and northern Europe arrive. The pre-mating passage takes place between February and April, and the post-mating between September and November. POPULATION In Spain: There is an estimated population of 400000 to 1.2 million breeding pairs. In Castile and León: There is an estimated population of 20-50 breeding pairs. | |