Comments on: The Starlings, They Are A’Changing

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 09:39:00 +0000

Bhancey, hawks and falcons prey on starlings but it isn’t enough. I have often wondered what keeps their population in check in Europe. The starling population isn’t overwhelming there.

By: bhancey

bhancey — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:06:19 +0000

Great info.! I hadn’t really thought about the beak change, although I have certainly witnessed it enough through the years.
Has anyone found anything that preys on starlings? I know they are not native to the U.S., but keep hoping that something will come along to limit the population, other than simply the food supply (which they feel free to pilfer from all the native birds, and pretty much everywhere else too).

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 17:47:28 +0000

Not a dumb question at all. The best way to identify a juvenile bird is to see it begging from an adult — which gives you a good reason to wait and watch birds. Other than that, a *very* good field guide is the only way to know.

By: Anne Marie

Anne Marie — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:23:30 +0000

Thanks Kate.. so that was a juvenile starling I saw in my yard. I was going crazy trying to figure it out and my field guide doesn’t show juveniles. perhaps I should get another one.. or do you have tips for novice bird watchers on how to know a bird is a juvie? Sorry if this is a dumb question.