Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[RED-DOG]

I love starlings. I admit that those two are stunning but the common "Plain" old European starling Sturnus vulgaris that we're all familiar with is an incredibly beautiful (and interesting) bird in its own right.

An adult starling's head and neck feathers are
 not black, as most people think, but iridescent (sp) like oil on water.

[Rod Paradise]

Another starling for you Tikay - the well, superbly named superb starling from Africa.

[RED-DOG]

Here are some interesting starling facts (Copied from the web)



  Starlings were introduced into North America from England in 1890 by Eugene Schieffelin.   He and his friends were determined to introduce into the US all of the animals mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare.  While some of their attempts failed, not so with the starling.    The original 100 birds who were introduced are responsible for the hundreds of millions who exist in the US today.

     Starlings are widespread throughout all of North America and are common in cities.

      Starling song is quite complex, including a series of whistling notes, chatter and a clear “wolf” whistle.

      Starlings belong to the family of birds which includes vocal mimics known as myna birds.

      Starlings are adept at exploiting urban, suburban and agricultural settings.  They are one of only a few birds that tolerate areas of high humane density and disturbance.

      Starlings have wide-ranging food tolerances though they prefer insects.  Spring flocks of starlings often descend on lawns much to the dismay of homeowners who feel they are doing damage when in fact, they are consuming insect pests and doing the homeowners a big favor.

       It is common to see starlings around dumps and landfills and many specialize in picking through open dumpsters and trash bags.

       Starlings tend to flock together when feeding.  When traveling, the flock looks like it rolls; the birds at the back of the flock go over and replace the birds at the front.  If a hawk appears, the flock tightens for protection.

       Male and female starlings look similar.  Both are glossy black with purplish and greenish iridescence on the head, back and breast.  Juveniles have grayish brown plumage.  Starlings molt their feathers in the fall.  The new feather tips are whitish, giving the bird a speckled appearance.   Over the winter sunlight and weather dulls the speckled look and the bird becomes uniform dark brown or black.

       Starling beaks are yellow during the spring breeding season.  By fall the beak becomes brown, and it remains brown through winter.  Their beaks are short, and are designed to open with force, different from other birds who have stronger muscles to close down their beaks.  The strong opening beak is an adaptation for probing in the soil for insects and worms, pushing rocks and soil out of the way.

       Starlings are monogamous; they court and mate in the early spring.  Most of the spring and summer is spent by paired birds in nesting and raising young.  Anywhere from three to eight eggs are laid in each clutch.  Adults can nest three times a year.  The young fledge between two and three weeks of age.

       Starlings are cavity nesters and will exploit any hole into a suitably sized interior cavity.  Their favorite sites include dryer, range and bathroom vents.

       A biologist reports the following story about starlings:

     I once was witness to a young boy shooting a female starling.   I have never forgotten what happened next.   A larger male starling, obviously her mate, landed next to the dead female and sounded a distress call, flapping its wings in challenge.  It put itself at risk with its courage.  The boy didn’t shoot the bird, but slowly approached.  The male starling stood his ground, trying to protect his mate.  Finally, when the boy was just a few feet away, the grieving bird flew off.  Here was a bird that is considered a common pest, that is poisoned by the thousands, clearly showing signs of loyalty and courage.

[Rod Paradise]

As said in Red's post - the whole flock rolls to avoid the attack of a peregrine falcon.

[Simon Galloway]

How about this Starling?

[AndrewT]

During spring in Denmark, hundreds of thousands of starlings flock together in a phenomenon known as Sort Sol (Black Sun), making intricate flock patterns.

[kinboshi]

The Lyrebird.  It's already on here somewhere (probably this thread), but you can't watch this too many times.  A remarkable bird.

[Tonji]

Years ago I remember seeing something similar in Huddersfield, right by the old Town Hall, a stunning sight.

[Graham C]

Lyrebird is awesome, someone should teach it "fk my life"

Was that one the one that Bill Oddie did Toni?  I watched it on the telebox last series, truly amazing.

[RED-DOG]

Remember I told you that the Jackdaws would come to pluck the loose winter coat from the yearlings to use as nest lining?

They're bloody hard to photograph. This is my best effort so far.

[cia260895]

I smoked (puffed) daily for 15 years and never once did i ever feel the need or urge to take any other type of drug,the notion that smokin leads to harder drugs is dependnt on the person and not the drugs.IMO

im the same...always smoked but never been interested int aking or trying drugs

Im confused, i thought CIA was saying he smoked marijuana for 15 yrs....?

yah i stopped the daily usage about 18 months ago only very very occasionally now..

[tikay]

Remember I told you that the Jackdaws would come to pluck the loose winter coat from the yearlings to use as nest lining?

They're bloody hard to photograph. This is my best effort so far.

Fine horse that Tom, to my expert eye.

Nice small ears, short back, nice silky feathering above the hooves, a dash of colour to show the "line" stamps it's stock with colour (important that), & a nice wide arse like yours.

More of these pics, please.

[kinboshi]

Remember I told you that the Jackdaws would come to pluck the loose winter coat from the yearlings to use as nest lining?

They're bloody hard to photograph. This is my best effort so far.

Fine horse that Tom, to my expert eye.

Nice small ears, short back, nice silky feathering above the hooves, a dash of colour to show the "line" stamps it's stock with colour (important that), & a nice wide arse like yours.

Just the way I like my women, please.

Each to their own, eh?

[boldie]

Remember I told you that the Jackdaws would come to pluck the loose winter coat from the yearlings to use as nest lining?

They're bloody hard to photograph. This is my best effort so far.

Fine horse that Tom, to my expert eye.

Nice small ears, short back, nice silky feathering above the hooves, a dash of colour to show the "line" stamps it's stock with colour (important that), & a nice wide arse like yours.

Just the way I like my women, please.

Each to their own, eh?

I actually laughed out loud at that..God help me.

[RED-DOG]

Got anothe pic of the Jackdaws this morning, but still cant get a really good one.