Starlings

Posted on February 26, 2007
Filed Under River Notes | 4 Comments

Many people who like birds don’t like starlings. Non-native invasive species & all that, which is true enough. And they can be pests when they congregate in large groups. But I like them with their squat gold-flecked black bodies, yellow eyes, muscular flight, & ability to reproduce the sounds of other creatures. Konrad Lorenz claimed to have taught one to talk & apparently this is a fairly common occurrence. In the woods near an apartment in Seattle’s University District many years ago, I swear the local starlings learned to imitate the sounds of my neighbor’s cat meowing. They clear out of northern New York for the winter, but they arrive back before any of the other migrants. I won’t see robins for three weeks yet, but the starlings arrived yesterday.

Comments

4 Responses to “Starlings”

  1. Paul Lamble on February 26th, 2007 8:06 pm

    I understand that Rachel Carson wrote an article or paper that found much to like in starlings. I’ve not read it, but I’m sure if I put a little effort into the matter, I could find a citation for it.

  2. jd on February 27th, 2007 7:30 am

    Paul, that would be great.

  3. Paul Lamble on February 27th, 2007 6:00 pm

    “How about citizenship papers for the starling?” Nature Magazine, volume 32, 1939

  4. jd on February 27th, 2007 6:47 pm

    Thanks, Paul! What a great title.