SpeciesFacts

All species › Birds › European Starling

European Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Bird · family Sturnidae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

European Starling
Photo: marsupium photography, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Oldest known wild bird
15 years[3]

The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a songbird in the family Sturnidae[4]. NatureServe lists it as introduced, not native, in many US states[5], and it is not listed under the Endangered Species Act[1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the European Starling a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[6]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it SNA in every state it covers, which is the code for a species that is not native there[7][5].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[6] Least concern

Where European Starling lives

NatureServe lists the European Starling as introduced, not native, in many states, including Alaska, California, New York, Texas and Florida, and also in the District of Columbia[5]. Online observation records on GBIF are highest in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas[8]. Those counts follow how much people look and report, not how many birds live there[8].

Alaska: introduced, state rank SNAAKMaine: introduced, state rank SNAMEWisconsin: introduced, state rank SNAWIVermont: introduced, state rank SNAVTNew Hampshire: introduced, state rank SNANHWashington: introduced, state rank SNAWAIdaho: introduced, state rank SNAIDMontana: introduced, state rank SNAMTNorth Dakota: introduced, state rank SNANDMinnesota: introduced, state rank SNAMNIllinois: introduced, state rank SNAILMichigan: introduced, state rank SNAMINew York: introduced, state rank SNANYMassachusetts: introduced, state rank SNAMAOregon: introduced, state rank SNAORNevada: introduced, state rank SNANVWyoming: introduced, state rank SNAWYSouth Dakota: introduced, state rank SNASDIowa: introduced, state rank SNAIAIndiana: introduced, state rank SNAINOhio: introduced, state rank SNAOHPennsylvania: introduced, state rank SNAPANew Jersey: introduced, state rank SNANJConnecticut: introduced, state rank SNACTRhode Island: introduced, state rank SNARICalifornia: introduced, state rank SNACAUtah: introduced, state rank SNAUTColorado: introduced, state rank SNACONebraska: introduced, state rank SNANEMissouri: introduced, state rank SNAMOKentucky: introduced, state rank SNAKYWest Virginia: introduced, state rank SNAWVVirginia: introduced, state rank SNAVAMaryland: introduced, state rank SNAMDDelaware: introduced, state rank SNADEArizona: introduced, state rank SNAAZNew Mexico: introduced, state rank SNANMKansas: introduced, state rank SNAKSArkansas: introduced, state rank SNAARTennessee: introduced, state rank SNATNNorth Carolina: introduced, state rank SNANCSouth Carolina: introduced, state rank SNASCDistrict of Columbia: introduced, state rank SNADCOklahoma: introduced, state rank SNAOKLouisiana: introduced, state rank SNALAMississippi: introduced, state rank SNAMSAlabama: introduced, state rank SNAALGeorgia: introduced, state rank SNAGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: introduced, state rank SNATXFlorida: introduced, state rank SNAFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[7].
Show state ranks (50 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSNANot Applicable
AlaskaSNANot Applicable
ArizonaSNANot Applicable
ArkansasSNANot Applicable
CaliforniaSNANot Applicable
ColoradoSNANot Applicable
ConnecticutSNANot Applicable
DelawareSNANot Applicable
District of ColumbiaSNANot Applicable
FloridaSNANot Applicable
GeorgiaSNANot Applicable
IdahoSNANot Applicable
IllinoisSNANot Applicable
IndianaSNANot Applicable
IowaSNANot Applicable
KansasSNANot Applicable
KentuckySNANot Applicable
LouisianaSNANot Applicable
MaineSNANot Applicable
MarylandSNANot Applicable
MassachusettsSNANot Applicable
MichiganSNANot Applicable
MinnesotaSNANot Applicable
MississippiSNANot Applicable
MissouriSNANot Applicable
MontanaSNANot Applicable
NebraskaSNANot Applicable
NevadaSNANot Applicable
New HampshireSNANot Applicable
New JerseySNANot Applicable
New MexicoSNANot Applicable
New YorkSNANot Applicable
North CarolinaSNANot Applicable
North DakotaSNANot Applicable
OhioSNANot Applicable
OklahomaSNANot Applicable
OregonSNANot Applicable
PennsylvaniaSNANot Applicable
Rhode IslandSNANot Applicable
South CarolinaSNANot Applicable
South DakotaSNANot Applicable
TennesseeSNANot Applicable
TexasSNANot Applicable
UtahSNANot Applicable
VermontSNANot Applicable
VirginiaSNANot Applicable
WashingtonSNANot Applicable
West VirginiaSNANot Applicable
WisconsinSNANot Applicable
WyomingSNANot Applicable

Habitat

NatureServe records this bird in many habitat types, such as hardwood, conifer and mixed woodland, grassland, cropland, suburbs, cities and wetlands[9]. It nests in cavities, which are holes and gaps, for example in trees, bird boxes or building crevices[10]. It roosts in trees, shrubs or buildings and looks for food in open areas[10]. It shares nest sites with other cavity nesters and competes with them[10].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[9]

Size, diet and lifespan

Adults are about 22 cm (9 in) long and weigh about 85 g (3.0 oz)[11][12]. NatureServe describes the diet as insects, fruit and grains, and about half of the food is insects[13][14]. A nest usually holds 5 to 7 eggs, though a clutch can be 4 to 9[15]. Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs for 12 to 15 days, and they feed the chicks for 20 to 22 days[15]. The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 22.9 years, and the oldest known banded bird was at least 15 years 3 months old[16][3].

Trait Value
Typical length[11] 22 cm (9 in)
Typical adult weight[12] 85 g (3.0 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[16] 22.9 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[3] 15 years 3 months
Litter or clutch size[17] 5
Gestation or incubation[18] 12 days
Female maturity[19] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[13] Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore
Migration[20] non-migrant, local migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[21]

  • 30% fruit
  • 20% seeds
  • 20% invertebrates
  • 10% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% nectar
  • 10% carrion

When to look for it

The European Starling is diurnal, which means it is active during the day[22]. NatureServe says it stays in one area through most of its range, but some birds migrate[23][20]. Those moves happen from mid-February to early March and from late September to November[23]. GBIF records in the US peak in March, April and May, which shows when people report it, not how many birds there are[24].

January: 1,294,938 recordsJanFebruary: 1,426,531 recordsFebMarch: 1,573,070 recordsMarApril: 2,169,219 recordsAprMay: 2,522,784 recordsMayJune: 1,306,940 recordsJunJuly: 866,202 recordsJulAugust: 838,798 recordsAugSeptember: 1,014,352 recordsSepOctober: 1,105,997 recordsOctNovember: 964,892 recordsNovDecember: 1,061,197 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[24].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January1,294,938
February1,426,531
March1,573,070
April2,169,219
May2,522,784
June1,306,940
July866,202
August838,798
September1,014,352
October1,105,997
November964,892
December1,061,197

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record European Starling as present in 231 park units[25]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 207 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: New York, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas[8]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the European Starling endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure[2].
Is the European Starling native to the US?
No. NatureServe lists it as introduced, not native, in many states, including Alaska, California, New York and Texas[5].
What does the European Starling eat?
NatureServe records it as eating insects, fruit and grains, and about half of its diet is insects[13][14].
How big is a European Starling?
It is about 22 cm (9 in) long and weighs about 85 g (3.0 oz)[11][12].
How long does a European Starling live?
The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 22.9 years, and the oldest known banded bird was at least 15 years 3 months old[16][3]. These are records, not typical lifespans.

Facts and sources

  1. European Starling is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for European Starling: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. Oldest known wild European Starling from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 15 years 3 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  4. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a bird in the family Sturnidae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  5. NatureServe lists European Starling as introduced (not native) in: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,... NatureServe Explorer
  6. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  7. NatureServe state ranks for European Starling (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  8. US states with the most GBIF observation records of European Starling: New York, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  9. Habitat types NatureServe records for European Starling: Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Cliff, Cropland/hedgerow, Suburban/orchard, Urban/edificarian, Herbaceous wetland,... NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe notes on habitat for European Starling. NatureServe Explorer
  11. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 22 cm (9 in). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 85 g (3.0 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  13. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for European Starling. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on reproduction for European Starling. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 22.9 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  17. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 5. AnAge
  18. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 12 days. AnAge
  19. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  20. NatureServe migration category for European Starling: non-migrant, local migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  21. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 30% fruit, 20% seeds, 20% invertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians, 10% nectar, 10% carrion. EltonTraits 1.0
  22. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe notes on migration for European Starling. NatureServe Explorer
  24. GBIF observation records of European Starling in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  25. NPSpecies park lists recording European Starling as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: marsupium photography, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.