A lot of people think that Starlings are rather drab birds, noisy and somewhat of a pest. I however think they are a beautiful bird, if caught in the right light very colourful and a delight to watch. They squabble over everything, the peanut butter, suet, meal worms and just about anything really.
In the spring when the nesting season is in full swing the noise can be so loud it is amazing, the garden can be covered in small grey birds clamouring to be fed. It is hard to imagine that these birds have been in decline.
Declining Numbers.
Starling numbers have declined across much of northern Europe and the UK. The decline in the UK started during the early 1980's and has continued ever since. The cause is unknown.
Long term monitoring by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) shows that Starling numbers have fallen by 66% in Britain since the mid-1970's. Because of this decline in numbers, the Starling is red listed as a bird of high conservation concern.
Today's photo of the day
A Starling Showing it's not so drab.
The purple and greens in the plumage of the Starling are really eye catching when seen in the sunlight.
Until tomorrow...
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