[Birdtalk] Starling Photos -- Maybe one of our most beautiful birds?

[Tim Avery]

I know that most of the time when I think of the European Starling, I think of a pest.  An exotic species that showed just what a non-native species can do in the ideal circumstances.  It's hard to believe that birds could turn into 200 million in just 118-119 years.  As a species it is probably responsible for more damage to native bird populations in North America than any other--well that is except for Homo sapiens (and maybe Feral Cats).

They are truly a gregarious species, loud and obnoxious, often greasy and dirty looking.  They flock in the 100's, 1,000's, and even 10's of 1,000's. They leave a terrible mess under the sites they choose to roost and feed.  They are by definition an example of pure success in the animal world, in terms of Darwin and survival of the fittest.  And they are the perfect example of a disaster in terms of destroying certain aspects of a natural eco-system--a science fair project gone awry.  

But there is an aside to the species that is often looked over.  The plumage of adults in breeding is simply astonishing.  A range of hues from green and blue to purple.  A wash of buff in the wings.  Rich pinkish-red legs, and a piercing yellow bill.  All set against the dark black that is the base for this splendid palette.In just the right light, it is like looking at a rainbow:

http://www.timaverybirding.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=578

I took the above pictures over the weekend through a window.  It truly is an amazing looking bird when it comes down to it. The pattern is quite intricate, but usually lost in the black.  When I took this I couldn't help but admire what a beautiful bird it was in just sheer looks.  

Now that I have gotten that out of my system, what an awful bird! Yuck!  here are some less attractive pictures:

http://www.timaverybirding.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=313 

As a little history lesson, we have one person to thank for this species being here today, Eugene Schieffelin. We can also thank him for the House Sparrow, another example of his success in the American Acclimatization Society. He managed to fail in attempting to introduce bullfinches, chaffinches, nightingales, and skylarks.  Who knows what else could have been on the way had he succeeded.

Good Birding

Tim

Salt Lake City, Utah
tanager at timaverybirding.com
http://www.timaverybirding.com
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