Transcript European Starling

Appearance
European Starlings
are small, chunky with
short tails and long
slender beaks. Their
wings are pointed,
making them look like
a star when they fly.
They are about the
size of a blackbird and
can live to be up to
sixteen years old.
Habitat
• Habitat: European Starlings usually live in
towns around people, they use trees,
buildings and other structures for nesting.
• Food: Starlings will eat nearly anything
they can get their beaks on, although they
will focus on insects and other
invertebrates when available.
Origin
• European Starlings originate from Europe…
• In the early 1890’s, Shakespeare fanatics
wanted America to have all the birds that
Shakespeare ever mentioned. So they
released 100 Starlings in New York’s
Central Square.
Current location
• Starlings can be
found in Australia,
New Zealand,
Europe, Asia,
Lberia, South
Africa, all over
North America and
even in Mexico
over the winter.
What did the ecosystem look like
before they arrived here?
• Native birds population were stable before
Starlings arrived. They were unmolested in
their nests to some extent and were able
to eat berries freely.
What the ecosystem looked like
after they arrived here.
• The Starlings aggressive nature drives
other birds away from feeding areas. They
drive birds out of their nests and take them
as their own. The Sapsucker birds have
shown a steady decline in population
because of the Starlings. All other birds
seem to be holding there own against
them. Starlings are now the major bird
population in all of North America.
The problems/impact the organism
is having on the ecosystem
• Starlings have a very good reproductive ability, a
very high tolerance to parasites, they are
extremely adaptable to new environments and
make their nests just about anywhere. They
have completely overrun our continent and have
drove many species out of areas. They have
been here long enough to no longer be
considered as an invading species.
Possible solutions to address the
problem caused
• There are no realistic ways to get rid of the
European Starlings in North America. They are
too numerous and resilient to do anything about
it.
• We could make a conservation effort to preserve
the Sapsucker birds.
Interesting facts
• Population of over 200
million in North
America.
• Starlings can learn the
calls of 20 different
species.
• They can Fly up to
48mph.
• The oldest recorded
Starling was 15 years
9 months old.