The European Starling was introduced to New York's Central Park in 1890 by Eugene Schieffelin, who reportedly wanted to introduce all birds mentioned by Shakespeare; today over 200 million starlings inhabit North America. The iridescent black plumage is spangled with white spots in winter that wear away by spring. Massive winter murmurations — wheeling clouds of thousands of birds — are one of nature's most spectacular aerial displays.
Habitat
Cities, farms, open woodlands, and grasslands
Diet
Insects, earthworms, grains, fruit, and refuse
How common
Common
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