Starlings are a common bird species found throughout much of the world. They are known for their dark, iridescent plumage and melodious vocalizations. Starlings often nest in cavities, including bird houses, which has led many people to wonder – do starlings like bird houses?
What types of nesting sites do starlings use?
Starlings are cavity nesters, meaning they build their nests and lay eggs inside enclosed spaces like tree holes, crevices in buildings, and yes, bird houses. They do not build open, cup-shaped nests like many other songbirds. Starlings typically choose cavities that are fairly small and narrow, with an entrance hole 2-2.5 inches across. They often nest in colonies, with multiple pairs using the same structure.
In addition to bird houses, natural starling nesting sites include:
- Tree cavities – Starlings may use holes created by woodpeckers or rotting in trunks and branches.
- Rock crevices – Cracks and spaces in cliffs, rock walls, and boulders.
- Building crevices – Gaps around roofing, vents, ledges, and eaves.
- Drainage holes – Openings for drainage pipes on buildings.
- Nest boxes – In addition to bird houses, starlings may use hollow boxes or platforms intended for other birds, like purple martins.
Starlings are opportunistic cavity nesters and excellent at spotting, accessing, and fitting into tight spaces. They have readily adapted to using manmade structures for nesting sites.
What makes a good starling nesting site?
When selecting a nesting cavity, starlings look for the following key features:
- Small entrance hole – Starlings prefer an entrance just big enough for them to squeeze through, around 2 inches wide, to exclude potential competitors and predators.
- Dark interior – Once inside, starlings want a dark, sheltered space where eggs and chicks will be concealed.
- Sufficient depth – The cavity needs to be deep enough, 6 inches or more, to accommodate the nest.
- Inaccessible location – Cavities positioned high up on buildings or trees help deter predators.
- Sheltered opening – An entrance oriented away from prevailing winds and rain is ideal.
- No current occupants – Starlings avoid cavities with signs of prior nests or other active birds.
In addition to physical traits, starlings strongly prefer cavities in dense colonies. They appear to select nest sites partly based on social attraction to areas already occupied by other starlings.
Do starlings nest in bird houses?
Yes, starlings are one of the most common birds found using bird houses meant for other species. This is mainly due to their early spring arrival and aggressive behavior. Here are some key facts about starlings and bird houses:
- Starlings typically investigate bird houses in late winter and early spring before many other cavity nesters return from migration.
- They readily claim and defend bird houses, even those with smaller openings suitable for chickadees, titmice, or bluebirds.
- Starlings may take over a bird house by removing or destroying any existing nests inside.
- Pairs nesting in bird houses may lay 5-7 eggs and raise multiple clutches per season.
- Starling nests in bird houses are made of grasses, twigs, and feathers, often with a cup lined with finer materials.
- Young starlings leave the nest at 3-4 weeks old, earlier than many other cavity nesting birds.
While starlings eagerly use bird houses, they are aggressive competitors that typically displace preferred native species when given access. Most bird enthusiasts try to exclude starlings from bird houses.
How to discourage starlings from bird houses
Here are some tips to make your bird houses less attractive to starlings but still usable for desirable songbirds:
- Use bird houses with a 1-1.25 inch entrance hole, too small for starlings.
- Hang houses on tall, thin poles that bob and sway, which starlings avoid.
- Place houses at least 30 feet apart to disperse colonies.
- Clean out old nests after each season to remove starling smells.
- Apply repellent scents around entrances like mint, garlic, or lemon.
- Install plastic guards around or over the entrance to block access.
- Regularly monitor houses and remove starling nests as soon as they appear.
With some creativity and persistence, you can design and manage bird houses to exclude starlings while attracting other desired species. Getting native birds established early before starlings arrive in spring is also key.
What birds compete with starlings for nest sites?
Starlings most often compete for nesting cavities with native North American bird species that also use bird houses. Some of these include:
Bird Species | Bird House Entrance | Nesting Facts |
---|---|---|
Eastern Bluebird | 1.5 inches | – Lays 4-7 light blue eggs – Nest is cup of grasses and pine needles – Young leave nest at 16-21 days |
Tree Swallow | 1.25 inches | – Lays 4-7 white eggs – Nest is cup of grasses lined with feathers – Young leave nest at 18-25 days |
Black-capped Chickadee | 1.25 inches | – Lays 6-8 white eggs with brown speckles – Nest is moss and plant fibers – Young leave nest at 16-21 days |
Tufted Titmouse | 1.25 inches | – Lays 5-8 cream colored eggs – Nest is moss, grass, leaves – Young leave nest at 16-18 days |
House Wren | 1.25 inches | – Lays 4-8 cream colored eggs – Nest is twigs with grass lining – Young leave nest at 14-16 days |
Starlings have a competitive edge over these species due to their larger size, aggressive behavior, and earlier spring arrival. But careful bird house management can help native birds compete.
How do starling nests impact bird houses?
When starlings move into a bird house, they often make some key changes:
- Enlarged entrance – Starlings widen the entrance hole by pecking away wood, which can ruin a house for smaller birds.
- Messy interiors – Their large nests fill cavities with grasses, twigs, and mud, preventing reuse.
- Feces buildup – Starling droppings can overwhelm closed bird houses.
- Removal of old nests – Starlings toss out any existing nests they find inside a cavity.
- Smells – Their nests give off strong odors from food remains, droppings, and dead nestlings.
Starlings are also more likely to get infested by parasites like bird mites. Bird houses used by starlings often need thorough annual cleanouts and repairs to remain usable.
Will starlings reuse old nests?
Starlings do not typically reuse an old nest. Each year, they build a new stick nest on top of any old nesting materials accumulated in the cavity from prior years. There are a few reasons why starlings avoid reusing intact nests:
- Old nests are caked with dried feces and food debris that deters reuse.
- They harbor mites, fleas, and other parasites from past occupants.
- Starling pairs may fight over possession of old nests.
- Existing nest cups are too small to accommodate each season’s larger clutch.
- Building a fresh nest helps cement the new pair bond each mating season.
Instead of reuse, starlings prefer to construct a new nest on the old foundation. In bird houses, this results in layers of old starling nests accumulating year after year if not cleaned out.
Will starlings and other birds share a nest box?
Starlings are not inclined to share nesting cavities peacefully with other species. Their aggressive behavior makes cohabitation in a single bird house unlikely. However, starlings may tolerate nesting near other species, like in a colony setting of houses closely spaced together. Some possible scenarios include:
- Starlings may claim multiple compartments in multi-chamber bird houses, alongside other pairs.
- Smaller native birds may build nests in unused spaces of larger starling nests inside cavities.
- Separate species may occupy different levels of two-story bird houses.
- Native birds that nest earlier may briefly use houses before starlings arrive in spring.
- Species may occupy houses at different times if starlings fail or abandon nests.
Intentional cohabitation requires careful monitoring, management, and matched timing between species. Even then, starlings tend to dominate bird houses through their aggressive behavior and intimidating other birds.
Conclusion
Starlings are eager to use bird houses, attracted by their protective cavities that perfectly match the species’ nesting requirements. While starlings readily move into bird houses, they often enlarge entrance holes, displace native species, and leave behind nests that are messy and full of parasites. With strategic bird house placement, customized openings, and vigilant nest box monitoring, it is possible to exclude starlings and reserve desired bird houses for less aggressive, native cavity nesters more in need of supplemental nesting sites.