Missouri Breeding Bird Atlas 1986 - 1992: European Starling

Relative abundance of breeding bird species by Natural Division, 1986-1992

Maps

Atlas Block Descriptions and Summaries of Species, Volunteers and Survey Hours

Reference

Literature Cited

European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris

Rangewide Distribution: Southern Canada, southeastern Alaska, all United States & northern Mexico
Abundance: Abundant
Breeding Habitat: Open fields, woods, suburbia & cities
Nest: Slovenly construction of grass, roots, straw, twigs & forbs in any cavity
Eggs: 4-6 pale blue or green-white, with brown marks
Incubation: 12-14 days
Fledging: 18-21 days

European Starlings were introduced into eastern North America during the late 1880s and spread rapidly across the continent (Cabe 1993). They were first recorded in Missouri in 1928 (Cooke 1928) and by 1930 were established statewide (Bennitt 1932). Starlings select sheltered sites for nests, breeding in cities, suburbs, towns and on farmsteads. They also breed in association with agricultural fields, wooded edges and wetlands, especially in proximity to farms or urban areas (Dunnet 1955).

Code Frequency

Starlings are easy to detect due to their noisy habits and flocking nature. They are also easy to confirm by observing parents delivering food or entering cavities. The young often noisily solicit food from inside and outside nesting cavities. Where not confirmed to breed on the map, they likely were absent or extremely rare breeders.

Distribution

Average Number of European Starlings / 100 stops

Average Number of Birds/100 stops

Starlings were found essentially statewide except in the most heavily-forested regions of the state. Peterjohn and Rice (1991) stated that starlings ordinarily avoid large tracts of undisturbed natural habitats such as interiors of mature forests. For unknown reasons, fewer starlings were confirmed to breed across the northern counties than in the western portion of the state.

Abundance

As expected, the highest starling numbers were reported in cities, including St. Louis, Cape Girardeau and Kansas City. The natural divisions in which the greatest numbers were recorded were the Glaciated Plains and Big Rivers, with the fewest recorded in the Mississippi Lowlands.

Phenology

Starlings are permanent residents that initiate nesting as conditions become favorable in spring. Starlings typically raise two broods. Egg laying is associated with the first brood in mid-April with the second around mid-May (Cabe 1993). The latest young typically fledge in early July.

Notes

An Atlaser who recorded one event of Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism may have been mistaken because brood parasitism has not previously been recorded for the European Starling (Cabe 1993).