Flora and Fauna News

Starlings Sport
Bright Yellow Beaks

By Michael Plagens
Sonoran Desert Sciences

A sure sign that spring is well on the way is the wild color change in the beaks of European Starlings, Sturnus vulgaris. After the autumn molt, these birds were brownish black with speckles of cream or tan. As the winter progressed the feathers became darker glossy black with iridescent sheens of green and purple. Finally as the breeding season arrives the beaks change from a dull brown to bright yellow. The beaks and plumage of both male and female starlings are similar.

Starlings belong to the Myna bird family (Sturnidae) and were introduced from Europe to North America in the mid 1800's near New York. They quickly spread and colonized agricultural and urban habitats across the continent. Like their famous cousins, the Mynas, Starlings have quite a repertoire of voices including whistles and squeaks as well as mimicry of other bird songs. If raised from the nestling stage they make interesting pets capable of learning tricks and imitation.

Unfortunately starlings are fierce generalist competitors (i.e. they're not too picky about food or habitat) in the wild and often impact negatively some native species. One bird that has declined due to starlings is the Purple Martin, Progne subis, because starlings can often exclude them from preferred nest sites leaving the martins homeless. In the Sonoran Desert purple martins historically used groups of saguaro cactus nest holes (originally made by the Gila Woodpecker) but are now scarce where starlings are abundant. Interestingly, starlings are now uncommon it some parts of their original range in Europe.

European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris.
In this photo by Robert Shantz at (Link) the beak is dark brown.

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