Home Checklist Back European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Status: Uncommon SP, S, F, W European Starlings are present throughout the year, and are most often seen in the grassy areas of campus. All European Starlings in North America are descendants from a population of birds purposefully introduced into Central Park, New York City, in 1890-91. (A local resident wanted all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare to reside in Central Park.) Their population exploded, expanding across the Mississippi by 1942 and reaching California by the 1950's. After 115 years, their population is estimated above 100 million. They are pugnacious omnivores; they destroy seed, vegetable, and fruit crops, and they out-compete native bluebirds and woodpeckers for food and nest sites. Furman University • 3300 Poinsett Hwy • Greenville, SC 29613 •
Status:
Uncommon
SP, S, F, W
European Starlings are present throughout the year, and are most often seen in the grassy areas of campus. All European Starlings in North America are descendants from a population of birds purposefully introduced into Central Park, New York City, in 1890-91. (A local resident wanted all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare to reside in Central Park.) Their population exploded, expanding across the Mississippi by 1942 and reaching California by the 1950's. After 115 years, their population is estimated above 100 million. They are pugnacious omnivores; they destroy seed, vegetable, and fruit crops, and they out-compete native bluebirds and woodpeckers for food and nest sites.
Furman University • 3300 Poinsett Hwy • Greenville, SC 29613 •
