Everyone has probably seen flocks of European Starlings, sometimes numbering in the thousands, flying as swarms over open fields. They are capable of incredible communications among themselves that allow the whole swarm to instantly change direction or reverse course as if they were all just one bird. Here’s part of such a swarm that I saw last week at the refuge.
Following are some shots of a juvenile bird that landed on the side of the road very close to my car. There were also Red-winged Blackbirds mixed in with the Starlings.
For comparison, here’s a photo of an adult bird taken this past winter during a snowstorm.
Julie@frogpondfarm said:
Such wonderful shots! Thank you for sharing 😊
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Julie!
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Emma Cownie said:
I don’t think Starlings are a very popular bird in Britain but I like them – they seem like rather cheeky chaps!
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neihtn2012 said:
Not many like them, and you have the right adjective for them, “cheeky”. 🙂
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bayphotosbydonna said:
Such a gorgeous bird, I love your juvenile captures, Hien!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Donna!
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quietsolopursuits said:
While starlings aren’t my favorite species of bird, because they’re an introduced/invasive species that out-compete some of our native birds for both food and nesting sites, your images of them are excellent. I love the flock in flight, and also the adult in the snowstorm.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Jerry! These European Starlings, at times accompanied by Red-winged Blackbirds, kept flying ahead of me on the 8-mile drive through the refuge. Maybe they wanted to have their photos taken. 🙂
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loisajay said:
Were your ears burning this morning, Hien? I was telling my husband about you. I saw a hummingbird in my front garden and told my husband about the gorgeous bird photos you take. These are wonderful–I especially love the first photo.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you very much Lois!
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dweezer19 said:
I love the last shot most. So beautiful.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Cheryl!
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sidilbradipo1 said:
You are right, they eat everything, but it is a pleasure to watch them, and their strategy for flight and defence: a Wing Squadron 😁😄
Ciao
Sid
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sidilbradipo1 said:
Stralings! Gorgeous photos!
My Seventh Wing Unit has come (to my little garden, eating all cats treats for weeks) and already gone, will see the squadron next Spring 😀
Ciao
Sid
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you! These are always hungry birds, and when there are so many of them they can really clean things out for you.
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