Appearance
8 inches. In the summer, the starling is a black bird with an irridescent green and purple back. In the winter it is almost a negative, being white with brown and buff spotting. The tail is short and the wings pointed. The bill is yellow with a dark tip in summer and dark in winter.
Food
The starling forages on the ground for insects, spiders, earthworms, garbage, salamanders, snails, seeds and berries. They readily come to feeders for seeds and suet.
Habits and Breeding
Introduced in 1890 when 100 birds escaped in New York City, the starling has spread over most of the United States. It can be found in wooded areas as well as around people. They compete for nesting sites with native species, taking any cavity that they can fit into. Only holes less than 1 ½ inches will keep them out. | 
European Starling |
