European Starling (Common Starling)

The European Starling is a medium-sized passerine with a stout body, short tail, and sharp yellowish bill in breeding season. In winter and non-breeding plumage, their dark feathers are heavily tipped with white or buff spots, giving them a speckled appearance. Their flight is direct and swift, and they are famous for complex murmurations.

Dark brownish-black overall appearance with subtle iridescence and faint pale tips, characteristic of non-breeding plumage or a juvenile molting into adult plumage.

Pennaceous vane distally with a dense, plumulaceous (downy) structure near the base. Barbs are intact with microscopic hooklets (barbicels) providing good cohesion along the upper half.

Smooth and slightly glossy on the pennaceous portion, soft and fluffy at the base. The surface displays subtle metallic reflections common in starling plumage.

Dark iridescent brownish-black coloration, small size, subtle pale distal tips, and combined pennaceous and plumulaceous structure typical of passerine body feathers.

Highly adaptable, found in urban areas, suburban neighborhoods, agricultural fields, grasslands, and open woodlands.

Native to Eurasia, widely introduced across North America (including Massachusetts), parts of South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Year-round resident across most of its North American range.

Acts as an effective insect predator consuming agricultural pests, but also acts as an aggressive competitor that displaces native cavity-nesting birds like bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) or Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) body feathers. Grackle feathers are typically larger with stronger purple or green iridescence.

European Starlings were introduced to Central Park in New York City in 1890 by enthusiasts who wanted to introduce all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare's plays. They are also phenomenal mimics, capable of imitating other birds, mechanical sounds, and even human speech.

Good condition. Minor wear at the very tip, typical of an exposed body feather that has experienced normal friction and weathering.

5 inches. Massachusetts neighborhood.