Scientific name: Sturnus unicolor Temminck, 1820
Bird group: Starlings
Field characters. 21 cm. Similar in appearance to Starling, but adult in breeding plumage lacks spots and feathers of head and neck elongated. Male is black with purplish gloss and yellow bill; female is somewhat duller. Winter adult is grey-black with small spots, but much less speckled than Starling. Juvenile resembles juvenile Starling, but is a bit darker. Hard to distinguish (except at short range) from Starling. Behaviour is similar to that of Starling, but it is a colonial breeder, unlike Starling.
Voice. Similar to that of Starling, but more powerful and louder; more emphasis put on descending "peeoo".
Distribution. Common resident in SW Europe. This species and Starling have mutually exclusive breeding range; during winter, occurs together with migrant Starlings.
Habitat. Even more often found in immediate vicinity of man than Starling; no special habitat preferences, but is regularly found near trees, cliffs, and buildings, where it nests. In winter often on agricultural grounds.
Food. Omnivorous, but invertebrates (especially insects) predominate.