Scientific name: Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758
Bird group: Starlings
Field characters. 22 cm. A well-known bird with a long bill, compact body and short tail and wings, lending it a stocky appearance. Highly gregarious; often occurs in dense flocks, which perform aerial evolutions in unison. Flight is characteristic: swift and straight, occasionally closing wings for a moment, or extending them whilst gliding. Has a brisk, jerky gait and makes a perky and active impression. Adult breeding plumage is black with a strong iridescent sheen; upperparts are speckled with white, in female more than in male; bill is yellow, in male with blue base. Non-breeding adult is similar, but entire plumage is densely speckled brown and white; bill is brown. Juvenile is uniform black-brown with off-white throat.
Voice. Usually noisy, especially when roosting. An excellent vocal imitator, which mimics not only other birds but also farm animals and traffic noise. Most common notes a rasping "tcheer" and a clear "peeoo", descending in pitch.
Distribution. Common, but absent from Spain, Portugal, Corsica and Sardinia, where replaced by Spotless Starling; northern populations migrate southwards during winter and occur in same region as Spotless Starling.
Habitat. Generally associated with presence of humans and cattle; no special preference of habitat, but short-turf pastures and lawns with nearby trees or human artefacts with nestholes are prerequisite.
Food. More or less omnivorous, although insect larvae preferred during breeding season.