Common Starling

Common starlings are native across a large part of the Palearctic, from central Siberia west to the Azores and from northern Europe south to the Mediterranean. Introductions have established them across several other regions. They are primarily lowland birds and require cavities in trees, buildings, or roofs for nesting, together with open vegetation for feeding. Outside the breeding season they use habitats ranging from farmland and open moorland to salt marshes. Adults average 21.5 centimeters long, span about 40 centimeters, and weigh 70 to 100 grams. (Animal Diversity Web)

Starlings are adaptable omnivores that use open-bill probing to expose concealed food. They consume insects, centipedes, spiders, moths, earthworms, seeds, berries, apples, pears, plums, cherries, and other available foods. Although commonly monogamous, some males are polygynous, and birds may produce more than one clutch during a favorable season. A typical clutch contains four to seven pale blue or white eggs, averaging five. Incubation is performed mainly by the female and lasts approximately 11 to 15 days, followed by fledging after 21 to 23 days. (Animal Diversity Web)