Our stores have gotten this question many times over the past few weeks! The answer: a juvenile European Starling!
Young birds can often look very different from their parents, and young starlings are no exception. They look so unlike the adults that many assume a new species is visiting the feeder!
Flocks of starlings can make your yard look like a scene from
The Birds. Although they are considered pests by many, starlings are fascinating in their own way. For instance, they are extremely adaptable and intelligent, and are excellent mimics, capable of learning the songs of over twenty birds. Males often decorate their nests with flowers, greenery and feathers.
Speaking of starling intelligence,
The Bird Watcherhas had his own share of troubles with starlings this spring and blogged about it back in April! Upside-down suet feeders used to be a great deterrent but these adaptable birds have learned to cling to get at their favorite treat!
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Murmuration
(Official Video)
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Did you know
that a group of starlings is called a
murmuration?
Starling flocks can number in the thousands and are quite impressive when they come to roost. Check out the video above of an awesome example! We've shared it before on our
Facebook page, but we can't get enough of this video!
