How to welcome the European Starling in London, England, United Kingdom
Sturnus vulgaris · Sturnidae
Seen in London, England, United Kingdom
← See the full European Starling guide
London is located in United Kingdom. Approximate coordinates: 51.507, -0.128.
About the European Starling
The common starling, also known simply as the starling in Great Britain and Ireland, and as the European starling in North America, is a medium-sized passerine bird in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is about 20 cm (8 in) long and has glossy black plumage with a metallic sheen, which is speckled with white at some times of the year. The legs are pink and the bill is black in winter and yellow in summer; young birds have browner plumage than the adults. Its gift for mimicry has been noted in literature including the Mabinogion and the works of Pliny the Elder and William Shakespeare.
Source: Wikipedia
Ecological traits of the European Starling
- Nesting : large-cavity nester.
- Preferred feeder food : universal mix, fresh fruit.
Installing and maintaining the nest box — European Starling
Installation
- Height : Not documented in the selected sources.
- Orientation : East or South-East (Strix aluco, Corvus monedula, Dryocopus martius). South or South-East (Tyto alba, Falco tinnunculus, Falco naumanni).
- Support : Tree (Strix aluco, Dryocopus martius). Pole or exterior wall (Corvus monedula). Pole, against a wall, building, barn, bell tower (Tyto alba, Falco tinnunculus, Falco naumanni).
- When to install : Autumn recommended. March or April possible. Early May to avoid occupation by earlier species.
- Precautions : Not documented in the selected sources.
Annual cleaning
- Frequency : Once a year after each breeding season.
- Method : Remove old nest materials. Brush or clean with boiling water to kill parasites. Let dry. Burn the inner wall if possible (with a blowtorch).
- Products to avoid : Do not use insecticides, flea treatments, soap or detergent. Use boiling water.
- When to install : After the breeding season, from September. Before February for winter occupants.
- Precautions : Put a small handful of clean hay or wood shavings (not straw) after cleaning and drying. Gloves must be worn during cleaning. It is normal that some eggs do not hatch or that young die.
Sources: LPO, Natagora, Vogelbescherming, RSPB, NABU, nichoirs.net.
Three ways to help
- Install a nest box — Free species-tailored construction plans and video tutorials.
- Install a feeder — Choose the feeder and seeds based on the bird's feeding habits.
- Grow a natural pantry — Native local plants that sustainably feed this bird and biodiversity.
Other birds observed in London
- Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
- Eurasian Scops-Owl (Otus scops)
- Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
- Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)
- Eurasian Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium passerinum)
- Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)
Sources and credits
- Observation data: eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, ebird.org)
- Source: Wikipedia