Common starling / Star (Sturnus vulgaris)

Junger Star sitzt auf einem Highland Cattle bei Speck, Fehraltorf. 2022-08-17 14:48:00 Fehraltorf

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-04-11 at the Luppmen. Most recent observation: 2026-04-30 in Flachsee am Reuss.

Description

Classification: Genus Sturnus (Sturnus); Family Starlings (Sturnidae)
Geography: This bird appears across the great seas in the following continents: Europe, North America (introduced), Africa, Asia.
General: Learned on BBC's Winterwatch: the movement of a swarm of starlings is called a murmuration! Check out this this video or even an entire half hour
General: In trees or in the fields by the cows.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahres-, Zugvogel RL 3^[8]
Personal notes: Frequently seen here, for instance by their nests under the eaves of one of the Toblerone houses. Introduced to North America from Europe by Eugene Schieffelin.
Vocalization: Eine der Vogelarten, die gleichzeitig zwei Töne singen kann!
Vocalization: Among the best of imitators. Mimics birds, animals and mechanical noises. Often makes several sounds at the same time. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-01 - 07-20
Migration in: 01-21 - 04-11
Migration out: 09-07 - 11-26
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=21 cm, wingspan=37-42 cm, weight=60-90 g
Habitats: Agricultural

Vocalisation

Song: I find their individual song amusing, with its (long) whoops and weird noises. As a group, they're just noisy!
Song: Song a highly varied mix of falling whistles, bill-clappering and various masterful mimicry. [Link] Song attributes: Melody: improvised melodic, slow, Frequency: medium (1-5 KHz) Special sounds: whoop, mimicry, weird Singing season: 01-01 - 09-30 Dawn chorus start: 15 minutes before dawn.
Calls: Other calls; a harsh "chaee" and a short sharp "tink". [Link] I hear this occasionally and really enjoy it - a long rising 'whoop', as I call it', starting low at 1 1/2 KHz and rising to 6 1/2 KHz!
Birdnet 1968 - European Starling long whoop call - 2021-08-23 17-26-09 - European Starling - Fehraltorf.

Birdnet 1968 - European Starling long whoop call - 2021-08-23 17-26-09 - European Starling - Fehraltorf. Fehraltorf 2021-08-23 17:26:09 ♫ 2021-08-23 17:26:09 Source: BirdNet 20210823_172609 birdnet 1968 - European Starling long whoop call - 2021-08-23 17-26-09 - European Starling - Fehraltorf.mp3 Fehraltorf (call)

Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: 1-6 KHz, Special sounds: whoop.