European [Common] Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Locally common resident with about 2 million breeding pairs in Britain & Ireland.

Also breeds in mainland Europe.

Winters in North Africa.

Continental birds migrate west to winter in Britain & Ireland.

Has been introduced in North America.

Breeding Adults are glossy green colour in goodlight with white spotting & yellow bill.

Winter birds loose the yellow bill, but retain their white spots.

Juveniles are mainly brown overall.

In flight, its strongly pointed wings and dark colour are distinctive, while on the ground its strange, somewhat waddling gait is also characteristic.

The song is a wide variety of both melodic and mechanical-sounding noises as part of a ritual succession of sounds.