European Starling

      Harrison Holloway

                The European Starling or Sturnus Vulgaris is a medium sized passerine bird. These birds are 8.6 inches in height and can they weight about 2- 3.6 oz. They belong to the sturnidae bird family, and they can live to be fifteen years old. These birds can be found in North America, Northern Africa, Europe, and Southern Australia. European Starlings are not native to the Untied States, they were brought by a man named Eugene Schieffelin in the 1890s.  European starlings are tenacious, energetic and can be aggressive during mating season. In the fall and winter months they would form large roosting flocks that can number up to one million birds. Their diet consists of millipedes, spiders, mollusks, and a few crustaceans. Male starlings build nest to attract the females. They build their nests out of grass, pine needles, feathers, trash, and clothing. Females can lay between three or six eggs, and the incubation period can last from twenty-one to twenty- three days. European Starlings live in man-made areas like cities or towns. These birds can also live in coastal areas, open forests, and mountain ranges. These birds adaptability is the primary reason they are labeled has an invasive species.  The European Starling is not an endangered their population is about two-hundred million just in North America.