Like many other migrants, starlings reappear in early spring. As attractive as they are, they are an invasive species in Canada, compete with native birds for food and can cause a lot of agricultural damage. I watched as this one and its mate tore across the grass.
April 28, 2024 at 9:56 pm
Quite sparkly, but undesired by most of the people😀
LikeLike
April 29, 2024 at 8:13 am
Very true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 28, 2024 at 8:16 pm
Great capture, Belinda. Not my favorite bird due to all the reasons you mentioned. The nicest thing I can say about them is they are pretty in breeding plumage!
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 9:54 pm
Thank you, Eliza. It certainly has a bad reputation.
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 7:16 pm
Fabulous shot, capturing all the colors!
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 9:51 pm
Thank you, Donna!
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 2:51 pm
You really captured the iridescent “sparkles“ of this starling, Belinda. Alas, they are not welcome in the U.S. either. According to an 2021 article in Living Bird magazine, “Officially, the European Starling is designated as an invasive alien species in North America.” (All About Birds).
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 9:50 pm
Thank you. I didn’t realize how unwelcome they were until recently. “All the glitters….” 😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 28, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Baby killers. Yes, they have pretty, sparkling feathers, but they are bullies and not my favourite bird.
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 2:41 pm
Very nasty behaviour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 28, 2024 at 3:28 pm
Starlings and crows. Not my favourites. But your photo is good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 28, 2024 at 11:08 am
I wonder if there is a way to reduce their numbers? They are attractive birds.
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 11:29 am
There have been culls of these birds. On a smaller scale people take down their feeders. Like a lot of invasive species, little thought was given to the possible downsides.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 28, 2024 at 11:32 am
I see, I feed Hummingbirds exclusively due to the flocks of flying rats in Las Vegas, also known as Rock Pigeons. I despise them, they drive away the small birds I want to feed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 28, 2024 at 10:48 am
They are beautiful though. They’re invasive here too. I think by now they’re all over our Continent.
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 11:22 am
They are that. I know they were introduced in many countries.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 28, 2024 at 3:18 am
The yellow beak shows it is quite ready to breed. Despite them being a curse here too, one cannot help admiring their plumage.
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 10:57 am
They are striking birds. It’s too bad about their poor behaviour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 28, 2024 at 2:44 am
Yes, they are attractive but unfortunately do so much damage. Great capture, Belinda.
LikeLike
April 28, 2024 at 10:52 am
They’re very adaptable birds. Too bad they’re so destructive.
Thank you, Lynette.
LikeLiked by 1 person