European Starling / Sturnus vulgaris

The 10 photos and a video that I have just posted today, 26 July 2019, were all taken during a quick drive SW of the city, on 8 July 2019. Many of the 'usual' birds, though I was also happy to see a European Starling closer than I normally see them.

I have fallen behind again with editing and posting photos form walks or outings, and I have a few trips that are coming up in the next little while. Hard to believe that August is almost here and summer is flying by. Our weeks of endless rainy days seem to have come to an end for now, thank goodness.

"Starlings were brought to North America from Europe in the late 1890’s. Since that time, they have greatly increased in number and have spread across most of the North American continent. In Alberta, starlings can be a nuisance to livestock producers. They consume and contaminate livestock feed and water. They also “whitewash” buildings, facilities and animals with their droppings. In winter, flocks of up to 2,000 birds can consume 1 to 2 tonnes of feed in a month and can contaminate or spoil an additional 500 to 1,000 kg of feed. Worse still, starlings may selectively eat the high-protein portion of protein-supplemented livestock feed."

open.alberta.ca/publications/685-6