Starlings Information
Info
Starlings usually select nesting sites that are in the shadows of brighter light. In urban areas, they tend to roost in building cavities at heights 20 to 70 feet (6 to 21 m) above the average street light. In suburban and rural settings, they often nest in tree holes, birdhouses with holes larger than 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter and other protected areas 2 to 60 feet (1 to 18 m) above the ground. Nests are constructed of twigs, grass and debris, then lined with feathers and other soft materials.
Some starlings migrate as cold weather approaches. Birds that do not migrate usually roost in protected areas such as buildings in urban areas. At dawn, starlings travel as far as 70 miles (113 km) from the roosting site to a feeding site. Starlings feed on the ground and away from their roosting sites. During spring and early summer, the principal diet of nesting birds is insects and occasionally soft fruit. During late summer, fall and winter, their diet preference shifts to grains, seeds and fruits. They can consume as much as an ounce (28 grams) of grain per day. When they return to the roosting area at dusk, they first perch on telephone wires, bridges, buildings, trees and other similar items.
After sunset, they fly around the roosting site, perhaps several times, before settling in for the evening. European starlings have been known to nest in dryer vents as well as vents in kitchens, bathrooms and over ovens. Starlings contaminate animal feed and foul buildings and sidewalks in the vicinity of their roosts. Most people are bothered by this accumulation of droppings and the irritating noises starlings create at their roosting sites.
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