Backyard Birds European Starling

First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent's most numerous... more

by Bill Wakeley

Title

Backyard Birds European Starling

Artist

Bill Wakeley

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent's most numerous songbirds. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. Though they are sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they're still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer. When the sunlight hits them just right you will see a rainbow of color on their plumage.For much of the year, they wheel through the sky and mob lawns in big, noisy flocks. This one of many posed for me in my backyard studio in Connecticut.

Uploaded

March 1st, 2015