Starlings are known for their loud voices, cause damage, and are often exterminated. What kind of bird? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. It has irregular white spots around the eyes and cheeks, making it a very distinctive bird. This bird can be seen not only in Japan, but also in the Korean Peninsula and China, so it is possible to observe large numbers in these areas.
What is a starling? About basic status
Starlings are birds of the order Passeriformes and of the family Starlingidae. The scientific name is Sturnus cineraceus, and the kanji is Mukudori, Baekduo. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | ムクドリ |
| English（英名） | White-cheeked Starling |
| scientific name(学名) | Sturnus cineraceus |
| classification（分類） | Ave、 Passeriformes、Sturnidae、Sturnus 鳥綱、スズメ目、ムクドリ科、フクロウオウム属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（全長） | 24cm |
| Weight（体重） | 0.5kg |
（Taxonomy of the White-cheeked Starling / Common Starling）
| 分類階層 | 名称 |
|---|---|
| 界 (Kingdom) | Animalia（動物界） |
| 門 (Phylum) | Chordata（脊索動物門） |
| 綱 (Class) | Aves（鳥綱） |
| 目 (Order) | Passeriformes（スズメ目） |
| 科 (Family) | Sturnidae（ムクドリ科） |
| 属 (Genus) | Sturnus（ムクドリ属） |
| 種 (Species) | Sturnus cineraceus（ムクドリ） |
About habitat
Starlings live in Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and China.
- Global Distribution
The Grey Starling is not endemic to Japan, but is widespread throughout East Asia.
Mainly found in the following areas:
All of Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and parts of Hokkaido)
Korean Peninsula
Eastern China
Far Eastern Russia
- Habitat in Japan
Adapted to human habitats, including urban areas, farmlands, and forest edges
Breeding Season: Nests in tree holes, crevices, and nest boxes
Winter: Often forms large flocks in rivers, lakes, flat farmlands, and urban parks
Flocking Behavior:
Moves in flocks of dozens to hundreds of birds
Large flocks of thousands have sometimes been observed in winter
- Habitat Characteristics
Cities and Residential Areas: Resting in flocks on power lines and street trees
Farmlands: Congregate in farmland to feed on seeds, fruit, and insects
Forest Edges and River Areas: Used for breeding and foraging
Highly Adaptable: Can easily survive in human habitats
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The starling’s body is blackish brown, and its head is grayish blackish brown. The most distinctive feature is irregular white spots around the eyes and cheeks. It is a resident bird that is distributed almost throughout Japan, and tends to migrate to the south in winter. This bird can be seen in farmlands, wetlands, and grasslands.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Shape/Size
Body Length: Approximately 21-23cm
Wingspan: Approximately 35-37cm
Body Type: Slightly larger than a sparrow, with a sturdy build
Plumage Color
Overall color is grayish-brown to darkish-brown
Winter plumage is mottled with white or pale spots
The beak of males turns yellow during the breeding season
Head, Beak, and Eyes
Head: Grayish
Beak: Yellow during the breeding season, slightly darker in winter
Eyes: Shiny black
Tail: Slightly short and spread out
- Ecology and Behavior
Diet
Omnivorous
Insects (adults and larvae), earthworms, and small crustaceans
Food also includes fruits, seeds, rice, and vegetables
Foraging Methods
Pecking on land, gathering nuts, and catching insects in the water
Behavior and Habits
Often travel in flocks
Form large flocks of hundreds to thousands of birds in winter
Flight
Nimble and fast, they fly in coordinated groups
Voices and Calls
They have a wide variety of calls and sometimes imitate the voices of other birds and humans
Nest Building
Build nests in tree holes, rock crevices, and crevices in buildings
Nesting Materials: Grasses and feathers
Sociality
Highly social, they forage and move around in flocks to ensure safety
Able to adapt to human contact in urban areas
- Lifestyle Characteristics
Breeding Season: Spring to early summer, nesting in trees or buildings
Wintering Season: Forms large flocks in flat farmland, cities, and parks
Highly adaptable: Found in a wide range of environments, including forests, farmland, and urban areas
What does the ecology look like?
Starlings are omnivorous, subsisting on plant seeds, fruits, and even insects. The breeding season is from spring to summer, when they often build nests in holes such as under the eaves of houses. When the chicks leave the nest, both parent and offspring gather together to form a flock. The lifespan is 10 to 20 years.
- Diet and Foraging Behavior
Omnivorous and highly adaptable
Insects (adults and larvae), earthworms, and small crustaceans
Food also includes fruits, seeds, rice, and vegetables
Foraging Methods
Pecks on the ground
Gathers nuts
May also catch insects and small aquatic animals near water
Forages in groups
In winter, they travel in flocks of hundreds to thousands of birds, efficiently searching for food
- Breeding
Breeding Season: Spring to early summer (April to July)
Nest Building:
Tree hollows, crevices in rocks, under the eaves of buildings, etc.
Nesting Materials: Grass, feathers, branches, etc.
Eggs and Incubation:
Number of Eggs: Approximately 4-6 per breeding
Incubation Period: Approximately 12-14 days (females incubate)
Chick Rearing:
Chicks are fed by the parents until they leave the nest.
Chicks leave the nest approximately two weeks after birth
- Migration/Migration
Starlings migrate according to the season.
While some species are resident in Japan, individuals in Hokkaido and Tohoku migrate south in winter.
They often fly in coordinated flocks, making them fast and agile flight enthusiasts.
- Flocking/Sociality
Highly social birds
They form large flocks (hundreds to thousands) in winter.
They forage, rest, and migrate while ensuring safety.
Highly adaptable to urban areas
They form flocks on power lines, street trees, and building roofs.
They are well adapted to human habitats.
- Habitat Adaptation
They live in a wide range of habitats, including forest edges, agricultural fields, rivers, lakes, and urban areas.
During the breeding season, they choose safe nesting locations.
During winter, they migrate in flocks in search of feeding and resting areas.
Are there any natural enemies?
Natural enemies include goshawks, black hawks, and owls.
About Starling Chicks
This article summarizes the characteristics and ecology of starling (Sturnus cineraceus) chicks (young birds).
- Birth and Early Life
Hatching Period: Spring to Early Summer (Breeding Season, April to July)
Number of Eggs: Approximately 4-6 per clutch
Incubation Period: Approximately 12-14 days (Females incubate)
- Appearance (Chick Feathers)
Plumage Color: Newly hatched chicks have fluffy, soft down.
Color is grayish-brown to brown, sometimes with mottled patterns.
Dull coloring protects them from predators.
Body Shape: Small and round, but with a strong beak and eyes, and the ability to peck at food from their parents.
- Behavior and Development
Cared for by their parents in the nest.
The female incubates and feeds the chicks (rather than nursing them).
Foraging: They use their beaks to peck at food within a few days of birth.
Flight: They leave the nest at approximately two weeks old and fly low at first.
Sociality: Even after leaving the nest, they may form small flocks with their siblings or nearby young.
- Growth Stages
0-2 Weeks After Birth: Covered in down in the nest, they are fed by their parents. Around 2 Weeks After Birth: They leave the nest and fly low for the first time, practicing pecking food with their beaks. 3-4 Weeks After Birth: Their feathers approach those of an adult, improving their flight ability. Over 1 Month After Birth: They join the flock independently, fully adapted to foraging and flight.
- Biological Characteristics
From the chick stage, they develop horizontal and flight abilities while receiving parental protection.
They depend on the safety of the nest and flock against predators.
They learn omnivorous habits from their parents.
Are starlings an endangered species?
Starlings are not an endangered species; in fact, their overbreeding often causes problems such as the noise they make and the damage caused by their droppings. It has been designated as a game bird in Japan since 1994. Depending on the time of year, you can hear their cries in large numbers, so some local governments are taking measures to repel them.
- International Status (IUCN)
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
Reason:
Wide distribution range and relatively large population
No significant declines have been reported
- Status in Japan
Not listed as endangered in Japan
A resident winter bird commonly found throughout the country, it has adapted to human habitats such as urban areas, farmlands, and forest edges.
Populations are stable, but localized habitat loss may occur due to urban development and deforestation.
- Conservation Considerations
Capturing and destruction of nests may be prohibited (e.g., under the Wildlife Protection Act).
Environmental conservation of wintering and breeding grounds is important.
Can starlings be kept as pets?
Starlings can be difficult to raise. In Japan, they were originally a beneficial bird that ate insects that harmed crops, but they often become pests and cause trouble to neighbors. If you are a farmer, this may be recommended.
- Can Starlings Be Raised?
Starlings are wild birds and are generally not sold as pets.
In Japan, capturing wild birds is prohibited (under the Wildlife Protection Act), so they cannot be kept as pets.
Keeping is limited to individuals born in breeding farms or with permission.
- Difficulties of Raising
Highly social, gregarious birds.
They are prone to stress when kept alone.
They have an omnivorous, wide-ranging diet, so dietary management is required.
They require a balanced diet of insects, fruit, and seeds.
They have high flying ability and require a lot of exercise.
They require a large cage and an environment where they can fly around.
They make a variety of calls and mimicry sounds, making them noisy.
It is difficult to raise them in urban apartments.
- Overall Rating
Starlings are not suitable as pets.
Raising them is extremely difficult, requiring specialized knowledge and extensive facilities.
They are better suited to observing in the wild than as household pets.
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