European Starling (Common Starling)

This feather showcases the characteristic oil-slick iridescence of the European Starling. Starlings are medium-sized songbirds with short tails, long slender bills, and pointed wings. In winter, they appear heavily spotted with white, but by spring, these tips wear off to reveal a glossy, iridescent black plumage.

Dull brownish-black base with a brilliant metallic turquoise and violet iridescence concentrated on the outer edge/distal tip. The iridescence is structural, changing with the light angle.

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked on the distal half, becoming plumulaceous (fluffy) at the base to provide insulation.

Smooth and glossy on the iridescent portion, soft and matte at the gray downy base; overall oily sheen helps with water resistance.

Distinctive metallic blue-green iridescence on a dark background; small size; rounded tip; plumulaceous base.

Found in a wide variety of environments including urban centers, parks, grasslands, and agricultural fields; highly adaptable to human-altered landscapes.

Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa; widely introduced and now abundant throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Insectivore and seed disperser; however, they are an invasive species in many regions, often outcompeting native cavity-nesters like Bluebirds and Woodpeckers.

Common Grackle (larger feathers, different iridescence), Brown-headed Cowbird (less intense iridescence), Tree Swallow (more uniform blue-green).

European Starlings were introduced to North America in 1890 by Eugene Schieffelin, who wanted to bring every bird mentioned in Shakespeare's plays to Central Park. They are also world-class mimics, capable of imitating other birds and even mechanical sounds.

Good condition; the distal edges show very slight wear, suggesting it was molted naturally rather than damaged by a predator.