Summer plumage. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on April 4th 2022. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f/8. Click image for larger version)
Winter plumage. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on January 29th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f/8. Click image for larger version)
Juvenile. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on May 15th 2022. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f/9. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 19 - 22cm

Starlings have short tails, pointed heads and triangular wings. From a distance they appear black, but when seen closer they are very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens.

Thyey are found throughout the British Isles, but are only summer visitors in the north of Scotland. Large numbers of continental birds spend the winter in Britain.

They are familiar breeders in farmland and suburban areas, and also in woodland.

Starlings are noisy and gregarious, and spend much of the year in flocks. Huge pre-roosting flocks called murmurations can occur over reedbeds, plantations and city centres in winter.

The Starling is a Red list species because of declines in farmland populations. There are about 800000 breeding territories in the UK.

Sightings