Sturnus vulgaris

Linnaeus, 1758

European Starling

G5Secure Found in 166 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103906
Element CodeABPBT01010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilySturnidae
GenusSturnus
Other Common Names
Estornino Pinto (ES) Étourneau sansonnet (FR)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Considered conspecific with S. unicolor by some authors and constitutes a superspecies with it (AOU 1983, 1998).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-10
Change Date1996-12-03
Range Extent Comments
Native to Eurasia; introduced in the U.S. in New York City in 1890. Now breeds from southeastern Alaska, across southern Canada, south through most of U.S. to southern Mexico; also in Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico (very local in the late 1980s). Periodically reported from St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Reported casually in Hawaii.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Found in a wide variety of habitats including open wood- lands, agricultural and urban areas. Roosts in trees, shrubs, or buildings, forages in open areas (Godfrey 1966). May use cavity as night roost during nonbreeding season; this cavity may be used for nesting by same bird(s). Cavity nester. Nests in tree hole, woodpecker hole, axil of coconut palm, bird box, or crevice in building. Competes with flicker, Lewis's Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, bluebirds, and other cavity nesters for nest sites.

Ecology

Nonbreeding: often gathers in large roosts. Often occurs in large mixed flocks with black-birds, cowbirds, and grackles (in summer and fall in northeastern U.S., Caccamise et al. 1983).

Commonly usurps the nest sites of native cavity-nesting birds (e.g., bluebirds, woodpeckers). However, an examination of Christmas Bird Count and Breeding Bird Survey data found that few, if any, native species have showed significant declines that could be attributed to starling competition. Only sapsuckers exhibited declines potentially attributable to starlings that were not countered by other data (Koenig 2003).

Reproduction

Clutch size 4-9 (usually 5-7). Incubation by both sexes in turn, 12-15 days. Altricial, downy nestlings fed by parents for 20-22 days (Harrison 1978). One to 3 broods per year. Female may lay egg in nest of another starling. Polygyny and communal breeding have been documented (see Pinxton et al., 1994, Auk 111:482-486).
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralSavannaGrassland/herbaceousCliffCropland/hedgerowSuburban/orchardUrban/edificarian
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDFORESTED WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaNNA
ProvinceRankNative
LabradorSNANo
Prince Edward IslandSNANo
British ColumbiaSNANo
OntarioSNANo
Northwest TerritoriesSNANo
Yukon TerritorySNANo
Island of NewfoundlandSNANo
AlbertaSNANo
Nova ScotiaSNANo
ManitobaSNANo
SaskatchewanSNANo
New BrunswickSNANo
QuebecSNANo
United StatesNNA
ProvinceRankNative
MinnesotaSNANo
GeorgiaSNANo
KansasSNANo
LouisianaSNANo
NevadaSNANo
New JerseySNANo
OregonSNANo
UtahSNANo
District of ColumbiaSNANo
Rhode IslandSNANo
ArkansasSNANo
New MexicoSNANo
MichiganSNANo
MontanaSNANo
DelawareSNANo
West VirginiaSNANo
VirginiaSNANo
VermontSNANo
OklahomaSNANo
MissouriSNANo
AlaskaSNANo
MassachusettsSNANo
South DakotaSNANo
MississippiSNANo
ColoradoSNANo
WyomingSNANo
WashingtonSNANo
MarylandSNANo
FloridaSNANo
IndianaSNANo
IowaSNANo
CaliforniaSNANo
New YorkSNANo
IllinoisSNANo
MaineSNANo
North DakotaSNANo
PennsylvaniaSNANo
WisconsinSNANo
South CarolinaSNANo
AlabamaSNANo
ConnecticutSNANo
IdahoSNANo
TennesseeSNANo
ArizonaSNANo
New HampshireSNANo
KentuckySNANo
NebraskaSNANo
TexasSNANo
North CarolinaSNANo
OhioSNANo
Navajo NationSNANo
Roadless Areas (166)
Alabama (1)
AreaForestAcres
Cheaha BTalladega National Forest741
Alaska (13)
AreaForestAcres
Douglas IslandTongass National Forest28,065
GravinaTongass National Forest37,381
HyderTongass National Forest121,723
LindenbergTongass National Forest25,855
MadanTongass National Forest68,553
North BaranofTongass National Forest314,089
North WrangellTongass National Forest8,091
RedoubtTongass National Forest68,347
RevillaTongass National Forest29,298
RhineTongass National Forest23,010
Sitka UrbanTongass National Forest112,003
Taku-SnettishamTongass National Forest664,928
Tenakee RidgeTongass National Forest20,527
Arizona (2)
AreaForestAcres
Cdo WsaCoronado National Forest1,955
GoldfieldTonto National Forest15,257
California (46)
AreaForestAcres
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest40,911
Bear MountainLos Padres National Forest913
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest5,116
Black Mtn.Sequoia National Forest15,102
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest7,548
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest9,997
Crystal CreekSan Bernardino National Forest6,783
Cucamonga CSan Bernardino National Forest4,106
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest17,043
Eagle PeakCleveland National Forest6,481
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest52,072
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest450
Greenhorn CreekSequoia National Forest28,226
Horse Creek RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest8,969
HortonInyo National Forest5,717
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
IshiLassen National Forest21,805
LaddCleveland National Forest5,300
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest15,542
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest14,177
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest5,218
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest27,643
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
No NameCleveland National Forest4,897
NordhoffLos Padres National Forest12,031
PaiuteInyo National Forest58,712
Pine CreekCleveland National Forest503
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
Raywood Flat BSan Bernardino National Forest11,373
Rouse HillSan Bernardino National Forest13,745
San DimasAngeles National Forest7,160
San SevaineSan Bernardino National Forest6,866
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest21,182
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest106,910
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest4,254
Sill HillCleveland National Forest5,294
SinkardHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,004
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest8,206
TequepisLos Padres National Forest9,080
Wild Horse Mtn. (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,822
WoolstaffSequoia National Forest41,445
Colorado (3)
AreaForestAcres
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Idaho (5)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
Montana (9)
AreaForestAcres
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
Nevada (7)
AreaForestAcres
Bald Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest41,598
Jobs Peak (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,342
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Santa RosaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest54,555
South SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest125,614
New Mexico (4)
AreaForestAcres
Chama WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest4,168
Ortega PeakLincoln National Forest11,545
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
West Face Sacramento MountainsLincoln National Forest41,176
Oregon (10)
AreaForestAcres
Castle RidgeWallowa-Whitman National Forest8,377
EagleMt. Hood National Forest16,841
HellholeUmatilla National Forest65,679
Hurricane CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,606
Imnaha FaceWallowa-Whitman National Forest29,575
Mclennon MountainWillamette National Forest8,085
Sheep DivideWallowa-Whitman National Forest16,201
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Umpqua SpitSiuslaw National Forest2,090
WoahinkSiuslaw National Forest5,309
South Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas1,447
Utah (28)
AreaForestAcres
0419020Ashley National Forest355,684
418014Uinta National Forest9,683
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418024Uinta National Forest51,699
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418029Uinta National Forest15,673
Beehive PeakFishlake National Forest59,137
Boulder MountainWasatch-Cache National Forest8,852
Boulder Mtn. / Boulder Top / Deer LakeDixie National Forest110,690
Burch CreekWasatch-Cache National Forest6,938
Casto BluffDixie National Forest87,466
CottonwoodDixie National Forest6,754
Flat CanyonFishlake National Forest8,663
Lewis PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest11,616
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Mahogany RangeWasatch-Cache National Forest11,409
Middle FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,296
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
Mt. Logan WestWasatch-Cache National Forest5,285
Mt. NaomiWasatch-Cache National Forest41,922
North FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest8,148
Oak CreekFishlake National Forest54,053
Pine Valley MountainsDixie National Forest57,673
Signal PeakFishlake National Forest30,889
South FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,374
Stansbury MountainsWasatch-Cache National Forest39,696
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
Vermont (2)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Virginia (9)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Garden MountainJefferson National Forest3,960
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
Washington (8)
AreaForestAcres
Alpine Lakes Adj.Wenatchee National Forest57,104
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
Madison CreekOlympic National Forest1,223
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Mt. BaldyOlympic National Forest3,557
PressentinMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,545
South QuinaultOlympic National Forest11,081
Willow SpringsUmatilla National Forest10,414
West Virginia (4)
AreaForestAcres
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Marlin MountainMonongahela National Forest9,344
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Wyoming (13)
AreaForestAcres
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Munger MountainBridger-Teton National Forest12,827
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Wapiti Valley NorthShoshone National Forest18,345
Wapiti Valley SouthShoshone National Forest43,517
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
References (33)
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