What are starlings?
Starlings are a type of small bird found across much of Europe, Asia, and North America. They are very social birds that tend to gather in large, noisy flocks. Starlings have glossy black plumage with small white spots. They have a sharp, pointed beak that is adept at grabbing food.
Starlings are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of foods. This includes invertebrates like worms and insects but also fruits, seeds, and human food waste. Starlings are aggressive foragers and will readily eat food left out for other birds. This habit of stealing food from bird feeders is a nuisance for many homeowners trying to feed more desirable backyard birds.
Why do starlings eat so much bird food?
There are several reasons why starlings are such a problem at bird feeders:
- Starlings travel in large flocks which allows them to overwhelm other birds at feeders.
- They have strong beaks that can break into sturdy seed containers.
- Starlings are not picky eaters and will consume many types of bird food.
- They are intelligent birds that learn routines and will return to reliable food sources.
- Starlings are aggressive and competitive and will chase off other bird species.
The combination of their flocking behavior, physical capabilities, and food preferences makes starlings very successful at taking advantage of backyard bird feeders. A flock of starlings can descend on a feeder and quickly empty it of seed, preventing other birds from getting any food.
How to stop starlings eating all the bird food
If starlings are hogging your bird feeders, there are some techniques you can try to deter them and allow other birds to feed:
Use feeders that exclude starlings
Specialized bird feeders can be purchased or made that prevent starlings from perching and feeding while still allowing smaller songbirds to eat. Examples include:
- Tube feeders with small perches and openings.
- Caged or covered feeders that birds can access through gaps.
- Suet feeders with small tail props or cages.
- Feeders suspended by a wire so they swing and wiggle.
Tube feeders and suet cages allow birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers to cling and feed but exclude larger starlings. You can also try placing feeders in open areas away from bushes and roofs where starlings like to perch and await their turn.
Use food starlings dislike
There are certain types of bird seed that starlings do not care for. Using these can make your feeder less attractive.
- Nyjer seed – Small, oil-rich seed loved by finches and ignored by starlings.
- Safflower seed – Starlings do not care for these nutty white seeds.
- Millet – Sparrows relish millet but starlings will pass it over.
- Suet formulated just for woodpeckers.
You can try offering safflower or nyjer seed in your feeders. Or mix millet into your general bird seed blend. Just be sure to keep an eye out that other birds don’t avoid these offerings as well.
Use deterrents
There are various devices and techniques for scaring away problem starlings:
- Scare tape – Reflective, holographic tape that shimmers in the breeze.
- Predator decoys – Fake owls, hawks, or snakes can frighten starlings.
- Sound devices – Recordings of starling alarm calls or predator sounds.
- Uncomfortable perches – Applying anti-roosting gel or spikes to perches and ledges.
Trying different audible or physical scare tactics may train groups of starlings to look elsewhere for their food. Just be aware you may need to regularly change things up so the birds don’t become accustomed.
Use multiple small feeders
Rather than filling one large feeder, consider spreading bird seed across several smaller feeders placed far apart. This can help discourage starlings from monopolizing one area and push them to look elsewhere once one feeder is empty. Having multiple feeders also allows other shy birds to avoid the mobs of hungry starlings.
Offer food on the ground
Starlings are predominately perching birds that do not like to feed on the ground. Try scattering some seed, chopped fruit, mealworms, or other goodies across the ground away from your feeders. Birds like doves, juncos, thrushes, and sparrows will gratefully visit the ground buffet while starlings remain up on the feeders. This creates separate areas so everyone gets a chance to eat.
Clean up under feeders
Be diligent about cleaning up any accumulated seed hulls or food scraps under your feeders. Starlings will scavenge any leftovers they find on the ground so keeping the space clean can remove an additional food source.
Time feeding for when starlings are less active
Starlings are most active in the mornings and evenings. Avoiding peak times by feeding birds more in the mid-late mornings or afternoons when starling activity drops can allow other birds to sneak in and eat.
Reduce feeding during migration/winter
Starling populations can increase dramatically during spring and fall migration as flocks pass through. Reducing how much food you put out during peak migration times can help deal with the temporary influx of birds. In winter, natural food supplies are lower so reducing feeding then could harm other resident birds.
Install a starling-resistant roosting deterrent
Starlings may look for places like building overhangs or roofs to roost at night. Installing spikes, coils, or netting can prevent them from settling and discourage them from visiting your yard.
When to call a professional
In cases of severe starling problems, it may be necessary to call in a wildlife control professional. They have access to specialized techniques like:
- Using live traps to humanely capture starlings.
- Identifying and sealing entrance points on buildings.
- Applying chemical bird repellents.
- Using loud explosive devices like propane cannons or pyrotechnics to frighten birds.
Professionals can assess your situation, identify any major attractants, and create a tailored starling control plan. This is often needed in cases like large roosts damaging property.
Preventing starlings at feeders: Summary table
Method | How It Works |
---|---|
Specialized feeders | Use tubes, cages, and gaps to make feeders accessible only to small birds. |
Preferred starling foods | Avoid seeds like sunflower and corn that starlings favor. |
Scare deterrents | Use sounds, flashing objects, predator effigies to frighten starlings. |
Multiple small feeders | Spread food out across many sites instead of a central location. |
Ground feeding | Offer some food on ground that starlings avoid but other birds will eat. |
Reduce peak feedings | Avoid filling feeders during migration or winter when populations spike. |
Call professionals | For major roosting issues, have wildlife control remove starlings humanely. |
Conclusion
Starlings are extremely capable at monopolizing bird feeders and excluding other birds. Their aggressive habits and ability to travel in large noisy flocks makes them a common backyard pest. There are techniques available to try deterring problematic starlings without harming them. Using specialized feeders, avoiding certain seeds, deploying scare tactics, spreading food across multiple sites, and cleaning up under feeders can all make a space less desirable to starlings. In extreme cases, contacting wildlife professionals may be needed to humanely remove large numbers of birds and prevent damage. With some clever techniques and persistent efforts, you can train starlings to look elsewhere and create an inviting space for local songbirds to enjoy.