Viewing Starlings in Washington
Starlings can be seen almost any time of the year in low elevations throughout Washington, particularly in areas associated with humans. They are among the few species of birds that tolerate high human density and poorly vegetated landscapes such as industrial sites. Starlings are normally absent only from heavily wooded areas, deserts, and areas above timberline. They appear to be partially migratory, but patterns vary regionally and individually. Many birds move into valleys and urban areas during the winter.
Starlings are often observed walking or running along on lawns, stopping to probe for cranefly, moth, and beetle larvae with their powerful beaks. The short grass makes it easy for them to walk, locate food, and view potential predators.
The wings of starlings have a triangular shape when stretched out in flight. Their flight is direct and swift, not rising and falling, like the flight of many “black birds.”
When starlings spot a perching hawk, falcon, or owl, they will “mob” it by flying around it and diving toward it, calling loudly. Dense flocks of starlings will also take flight and perform complex evasive movements in unison to avoid predators, such as falcons.
Huge, undulating flocks containing thousands of starlings can be observed during the winter months flying over towns, water, and fields.
Since starlings are widely distributed and abundant in populated areas, they make great subjects for bird-watchers interested in wildlife behavior.
The wing-wave display is performed when the male is perched; the bird spreads his wings and moves them in a rotating manner.
The fluffing display is performed by males and females during aggressive encounters. The displaying bird faces another bird and puffs out all its feathers. The other bird may do the same.
Starlings have diverse calls and songs, such as whistles, high-pitched squeaks, and imitations of other birds’ calls and songs, including those of bald eagles and other raptors. Just before pairing in spring and on warm fall days, the male commonly gives a squeal-call near the nest hole when a female flies by.
As long ago as the Fifth Century B.C., the Greeks and Romans kept starlings as caged birds and taught them to imitate human speech.
Roost Sites
Starlings roost on structures or in trees from late summer until the beginning of the breeding season. The number of birds using roosts can vary from a hundred to 150,000 or more. Roosts are largest in late summer, when composed of newly hatched young, their parents, and other birds that did not breed. The roosts become smaller, and may change location, in fall and winter when the adults migrate or return to breeding grounds.
Each sunrise, starlings leave their roost site and scatter across the land in small flocks to feed on nearby lawns, cultivated fields, golf courses, and similar places, as well as natural areas including wetlands, tidal flats, and debris rich beaches. Starlings will fly 30 miles to a productive feeding site.
Up to two hours before sunset, the starlings farthest from the roost site begin their return trip to the roost. The birds travel along established flight lines that are used day after day. Other small flocks join them and the flock size increases as it approaches the roost site. Some members will drop out and perch on pre-roosting sites such as trees, power lines, bridges, and towers, along the way. These pre-roosting areas are constantly changing in membership as birds leave and rejoin the main flocks.
Before sunset, all birds at pre-roosting sites will have left for the primary roost, where immense flocks will be swarming. The birds make spectacular dives into the primary roost, flutter about in search of a good perch, and settle down for the night.
Starlings are often observed walking or running along on lawns, stopping to probe for cranefly, moth, and beetle larvae with their powerful beaks. The short grass makes it easy for them to walk, locate food, and view potential predators.
The wings of starlings have a triangular shape when stretched out in flight. Their flight is direct and swift, not rising and falling, like the flight of many “black birds.”
When starlings spot a perching hawk, falcon, or owl, they will “mob” it by flying around it and diving toward it, calling loudly. Dense flocks of starlings will also take flight and perform complex evasive movements in unison to avoid predators, such as falcons.
Huge, undulating flocks containing thousands of starlings can be observed during the winter months flying over towns, water, and fields.
Since starlings are widely distributed and abundant in populated areas, they make great subjects for bird-watchers interested in wildlife behavior.
The wing-wave display is performed when the male is perched; the bird spreads his wings and moves them in a rotating manner.
The fluffing display is performed by males and females during aggressive encounters. The displaying bird faces another bird and puffs out all its feathers. The other bird may do the same.
Starlings have diverse calls and songs, such as whistles, high-pitched squeaks, and imitations of other birds’ calls and songs, including those of bald eagles and other raptors. Just before pairing in spring and on warm fall days, the male commonly gives a squeal-call near the nest hole when a female flies by.
As long ago as the Fifth Century B.C., the Greeks and Romans kept starlings as caged birds and taught them to imitate human speech.
Roost Sites
Starlings roost on structures or in trees from late summer until the beginning of the breeding season. The number of birds using roosts can vary from a hundred to 150,000 or more. Roosts are largest in late summer, when composed of newly hatched young, their parents, and other birds that did not breed. The roosts become smaller, and may change location, in fall and winter when the adults migrate or return to breeding grounds.
Each sunrise, starlings leave their roost site and scatter across the land in small flocks to feed on nearby lawns, cultivated fields, golf courses, and similar places, as well as natural areas including wetlands, tidal flats, and debris rich beaches. Starlings will fly 30 miles to a productive feeding site.
Up to two hours before sunset, the starlings farthest from the roost site begin their return trip to the roost. The birds travel along established flight lines that are used day after day. Other small flocks join them and the flock size increases as it approaches the roost site. Some members will drop out and perch on pre-roosting sites such as trees, power lines, bridges, and towers, along the way. These pre-roosting areas are constantly changing in membership as birds leave and rejoin the main flocks.
Before sunset, all birds at pre-roosting sites will have left for the primary roost, where immense flocks will be swarming. The birds make spectacular dives into the primary roost, flutter about in search of a good perch, and settle down for the night.
This information was provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Russell Link, and Michael Holmquist
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