BOTW 1/29 - 2/2
One of the most loved and hated birds
Hello all,
This bird of the week is both one of the most common, and most human-associated birds in the world. It divides people who see these birds alternatively as a nuisance, or a beautiful part of the urban landscape.
This week’s bird is the: European Starling
This week’s bird is a rerun from 2021
1) This bird lives around the world (not just Europe, where it is known as the Common Starling), favoring places with lots of power lines.
2) Like many of the most abundant birds here, this species was introduced to North America. Comically, this bird was brought here by some dim-witted Shakespeare lovers who wanted to populate the country with birds mentioned in the writer’s classics.
3) That first introduction consisted of roughly 100 birds. Now there are 200 million. Well done Shakespeare lovers.
4) Starlings are mean birds. They like to displace other cavity nesting birds like the Northern Flicker. Not cool, man.
5) So why do people love these birds? Because they create an incredible show when they flock together.
Have a great week!
I wish they weren’t invasive in the US of A, cause they’re such pretty birds. 🥺
Just a few weeks ago the starlings visited my yard. In the hundreds. They are just “there” in a tree, silently taking over, then there’s very low murmuring, and for no discernible reason…WHOOSH! They’ve left en masse in a flurry of wings. What a sight!