Eureopean Starlings, a second look

  • By Bruce Glick
  • February 20, 2014
  • 403
                        
European Starlings, a second look Columnist Bruce Glick summarizes happenings in the local birding world. This week Bruce writes about, of all things, European Starlings. Find out more in the "Gone Birding" column. During the winter there aren't a lot of blackbirds around but large flocks of European Starlings stay around all year. Most of us dismiss them as unwanted intruders from across the Atlantic, which they are. However, every year I get at least one call during the winter, asking about this beautiful bird that they saw. It turns out that a good close look at a Starling during the winter does reveal a striking bird. Last week I took a walk along the Pumpkinvine Trail, the local rails-to-trails here in the Goshen area. There were not a lot of birds to look at since it was late afternoon and still a bit early for spring migrants to be showing up. So I ended up watching a small flock of Starlings that were perched high in a tree along the trail. From time to time, some or all of the 11 birds would fly to different perches in the same area. I didn't see any sign that they were feeding or looking for food. All this time, these birds were chattering. I don't know a better way to describe the wide variety of sounds coming from the treetops. I almost had to revise my opinion of these birds which we consider pests - they looked and sounded interesting, and brightened up my late winter day. What I didn't know was that European Starlings were first detected in Ohio close to home, at West Lafayette in Coshocton County during January, 1916 (Peterjohn, Birds of Ohio). In 1918 they were also seen in Knox County, while the first Ohio nest was discovered near Belleville in Richland County on May 11, 1920. And as they say, the rest is history. Starlings were soon nesting everywhere. Peterjohn says in his introduction to this species, "the introduction of European Starlings into North America was a blunder whose disastrous consequences surpass even those associated with the introduction of Hose Sparrows. Starlings' adaptability allowed them to rapidly expand across the continent wherever man has substantially altered the natural surroundings. Pugnacious and quarrelsome, starlings normally dominate our native birds." After reading Peterjohn's assessment of Starlings, I felt properly chagrined at having enjoyed 15 minutes with them. I do remember that at one point a lovely American Robin flew into the tree with Starlings, however, it only stayed a few seconds. I guess it wasn't really welcome. Although Starlings are around in large numbers all winter, some of them do migrate so we see larger numbers coming through in the spring, sometimes mixed with incoming blackbirds. They nest almost anywhere, although they prefer cavities. I'm sure many of us have seen them competing with woodpeckers for prime nest holes. And even if we don't like them, Starlings really do like to be around people. The places in Ohio with the lowest number of Starlings are the rural areas, particularly in the southeastern part of the state. I promise not to write about Starlings for quite awhile - after all, spring migration is coming, with lots of fine birds to keep me busy. As I write on February 20, thunder and lightning are accompanying a hard rain, promising to lower the 18 inches of snow outside the house. Good birding! Bruce Glick birderbruce@yahoo.com 330-317-7798


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