Category: Eurasia

The population decline of the starling, Sturnus vulgaris, in GreatBritain: patterns and causes

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 9 abstract Although the starling has the capacity for explosive population growth, its population in Britain has declined bytwo-thirds over the last 40 years. Here we summarize a major study (Crick et al., 2002) which investigates the reasons for this.The starling is commonest in urban and farmland habitats, though density […]

Population trends of the Finnish starling Sturnus vulgaris, 1952-1998, as inferred from annual ringing totals

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 3 abstract Finnish starling populations have declined, a phenomenon first noted towards the end of the 1970s. Here we use national ringing totals to estimate changes in the starling population. However, the numbers ringed depend not only on the population size but also on yearly variations in ringing activities. Thus, […]

Predator detection and avoidance by starlingsunder differing scenarios of predation risk

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 5 abstract Practically all animals must find food while avoiding predators. An individual’s perception of predation risk may depend on manyfactors, such as distance to refuge and group size, but it is unclear whether individuals respond to different factors in a similarmanner. We tested whether flocks of foraging starlings responded […]

The implications of nest site competition from starlings Sturnus vulgaris and the effect of spring temperatures on the timing and breeding performance of great spotted woodpeckers

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 2 abstract A long-term study of the breeding success of an increasing population of great spotted woodpeckers in southern England has shown that nest survival has increased dramatically and the nesting season advanced over the last 20 years. Nest site interference by starlings was frequently observed in the early years […]

Social experience, vocal learning and social cognition in theEuropean starling, Sturnus vulgaris

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 10 abstract European starlings are well known for their rich and varied social life. Recent studies reveal a social organizationbased on same-sex preferences, spatial proximity and vocal sharing in captive groups. Much less is known about socialcognition and the possible role of social experience on the development of cognitive abilities. […]

The potential of particular starlings (Sturnidae) as indicators of habitat change

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 11 abstract The starlings (Sturnidae) represent a highly successful and adaptable passerine family. Several sturnids, predominantly open country species, have been introduced into new geographic areas through human agency, and some have become pests in the new range. In this context, we investigated habitat use in a typical open habitat […]

Range expansion of the European Starling Sturnus vulgaris in Argentina

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 18 abstract The European or Common Starling Sturnusvulgaris is considered one of the worst invasivebird species, with successful widespreadintroductions around the world (Feare, 1984).Most releases were made in the nineteenth andearly twentieth centuries and the species hasnow become one of the commonest birds inNew Zealand, south-eastern Australia, SouthernAfrica, as well […]

Studies of song behavior in European starlings: interrelationshipsamong testosterone, neuroanatomy and immune function

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 7 abstract Female starlings pair preferentially with males that produce song organized into long bouts. Females exhibitimmediate early gene responses in the auditory forebrain that are biased towards longer bout songs. In male starlings, lengthof song bout correlates with variation in the volume of two key brain areas controlling song […]

What attracts birds to newly mown pasture? Decouplingthe action of mowing from the provision of short swards

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 6 abstract Many bird species flock to forage on newly mown grass swards. Several potential benefitsare offered by such swards, including increases in prey availability (flush of foliar prey,reduced physical obstruction to surface and soil prey) and a foraging environment withfewer visual obstructions, so allowing predators to be detected more […]

Spring temperatures and laying dates of first eggs of three passerines in Croatia

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Science Article 17 abstract This study is based on the spring temperaturesand laying dates of first eggs of threepasserines (sedentary: Great Tit, Parus majorand Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus; migratory:Starling, Sturnus vulgaris). Laying datesof first eggs were used as estimates of timingof breeding. The term ‘laying date’ is definedas the date of laying […]