Starling

The starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a bird in the starling family of the passerine order.

Although it can be seen all year round, it is a migratory bird. The starlings that we see here in summer are more southerly in winter and our winter starlings are more northerly in summer.

The plumage is glossy black with, especially in the sun, a reflection of bronze green (head and occiput) and several variations of purple. In winter it is more speckled than in summer.

Except for connoisseurs, there is hardly any difference between the male and the female. Because the feathers of the female are somewhat larger and broader, and because the tips of the contour feathers are colored white, the spots of the winter plumage are larger and moreover a bit closer together.

Young starlings are grey-brown with a light throat. At the end of the summer they exchange this plumage for that of the adults, although their speckles are more marked than those of the older adults who are more variegated.

The length is 19-22 cm; with a wingspan of 37-42 centimeters and a weight of 70-80 grams.

Starlings can sing for a long time, the sound they make often sounds more like a chatter than a whistle.