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The European starling was
introduced into North America a little over a hundred years ago, in
Central Park NYC. The population rapidly grew to the point of
being a major agricultural pest. In spite of hundreds of millions
of dollars spent to control or eradicate the starling, by the 1960's it
was showing up in Southern California as a winter migrant. Before
long they had established a year-round presence here.
The starling
is the only
black bird in this area which has a yellow bill. This is an adult in
breeding plumage.
Adults in
non breeding plumage and
young starlings have black bills.
Starlings have
been nesting inside the
housing of this street light for many years.
When not
nesting, starlings gather in
noisy, messy flocks to roost.
Each year the
wintering flocks become
more numerous and larger.
[Taxonomy :
Classification]
[Birds] [ Back Yard
Biology] [
Science Can Be Fun]