Quick Summary
In most states in the United States, it is legal to keep a European starling as a pet with no permit required. However, it is illegal to capture a wild starling from the environment without proper permitting in all states except Tennessee and Wyoming. Starlings are an invasive species in North America that cause major agricultural damage. Some states, such as Idaho, New Mexico and South Dakota, have additional restrictions on keeping starlings as pets to prevent them from escaping into the wild. Many experts advise against keeping starlings as pets due to their demanding care requirements.
Is a Permit Required to Keep a European Starling?
In most states in the U.S., no permit is required to keep a European starling as a pet as long as the bird was legally obtained from a breeder or pet store and not captured from the wild. However, Idaho, New Mexico, and South Dakota require permits to possess European starlings, even those that were captive bred.
Some key points on starling pet permits:
- Idaho requires a USFWS Exotic Wildlife Possession permit.
- New Mexico requires either a USFWS permit or a New Mexico Department of Game and Fish permit.
- South Dakota requires a Captive Non-Domestic Animal license from the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks.
- Wyoming is the only state that allows capturing wild starlings without a permit.
- Tennessee also allows capturing up to 5 starlings from the wild without a permit.
So in summary, no permit is needed to keep a captive bred starling as a pet in most states, but a few states do require permits even for captive bred birds due to starlings’ invasive status.
Is it Legal to Capture a Wild Starling?
It is illegal to capture a European starling from the wild without proper permits in all U.S. states except for Tennessee and Wyoming.
Tennessee allows capturing up to 5 starlings from the environment without a permit. Wyoming has no restrictions on capturing wild starlings.
All other states require permits to capture wild starlings, which are typically only issued to researchers and wildlife rehabilitators. Even if you have a permit to keep a captive starling, separate capture permits are usually required.
Capturing wild starlings without permits is punishable by fines and even jail time in some states. Proper permits for capturing wild starlings are usually issued by state wildlife agencies.
Due to starlings’ invasive status, most states restrict capturing wild starlings to prevent further spread of this damaging species. Starlings cause major agricultural damage and displace many native bird species.
Why Can Starlings be Legally Kept as Pets?
European starlings are not protected by federal laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act even though they are wild birds. This is because starlings are an introduced, invasive species in North America.
The main reasons starlings can be kept as pets without permits in most states include:
- They are not native to North America.
- They are considered an agricultural pest species.
- They compete with native cavity-nesting bird species.
- They cause major damage to fruit crops.
- They are abundant and their populations are not threatened by the pet trade.
However, their invasive status also prompts some states to put restrictions on private ownership to prevent accidental release and spread. Permits are required for capture and possession in several states for this reason.
Why Do Some States Prohibit Keeping Starlings as Pets?
Idaho, New Mexico and South Dakota prohibit keeping European starlings as pets without a permit even if they are captive bred.
This stricter regulation is intended to prevent the spread and release of starlings in those states. Potential reasons these states restrict starling possession:
- Prevent starlings from escaping or being released and establishing new populations.
- Starlings are not already well-established in these states so limiting possession helps keep populations low.
- They want to limit their agricultural damage by restricting starling numbers.
- The climate in these states may be unsuitable for starlings to thrive if released.
Requiring permits creates oversight and helps enforce responsible care and containment of starlings as pets in these states with low starling populations. However, ownership bans may simply prompt illicit capture and release of wild starlings instead.
What Are Some Alternatives to Keeping Starlings as Pets?
Many experts advise against keeping invasive starlings as pets due to the challenges of their care and risks of escape. Some alternative pet bird species include:
Species | Temperament | Care Difficulty |
---|---|---|
Budgerigar | Social, playful | Beginner |
Cockatiel | Affectionate, gentle | Beginner-Intermediate |
Pionus Parrot | Docile, laid-back | Intermediate |
Conure | Fun-loving, high-energy | Intermediate-Advanced |
These species make excellent companion pets. They can be housed safely indoors with less risk of escape. Their care needs are often simpler than starlings, which require large enclosures and specialized diets. Exotic bird veterinarians are also more experienced with these species.
Care Challenges of Keeping Starlings as Pets
While it may be legal to keep a starling as a pet in most states, doing so has many challenges:
- Very large aviaries needed, preferably outdoor flight cages.
- Messy eaters that scatter food waste.
- Require constant stimulation and activities.
- Frequent loud vocalizations.
- Prone to imprinting on owners.
- Difficult to integrate multiple starlings without fighting.
- Specialized diets of fruits, insects, nectar.
- Extensive vet care often required.
Starlings are intelligent, highly active birds that can be very demanding to own correctly. They have complex social and behavioral needs that can be difficult to meet in captivity. Their tendency to imprint on owners also makes eventual release impossible in most cases.
Risks of Releasing Captive Starlings
Releasing a captive European starling, whether intentional or accidental, can have negative consequences:
- May not have survival skills to live in the wild.
- Could introduce disease into wild populations.
- Pet starlings are likely imprinted and will seek out humans.
- May invade the nests of native cavity-nesting birds.
- Could contribute to agricultural crop damage problems.
- Adds to invasive population numbers.
There have been cases of released pet starlings displacing rare native birds like purple martins or bluebirds from nesting sites.
Accidental release is also a risk if appropriate aviaries and precautions are not used. Released starlings rarely survive long due to imprinting. Euthanasia is recommended for unreleasable birds.
Legal Consequences of Releasing Starlings
It is illegal to intentionally release a European starling into the wild in all U.S. states. Violating release laws may result in:
- Fines up to $5,000 in some states.
- Up to 1 year in jail in states like Colorado.
- Revocation of wildlife rehabilitation or breeder permits.
- Seizure of all animals in possession.
Released starlings, even if originally taken legally from the wild, are considered an illegal introduction of wildlife. Accidental release incidents should be reported immediately to state wildlife authorities.
Illegal release can harm local ecosystems and undermine conservation efforts. Penalties aim to deter such irresponsible actions given starlings’ damaging impacts.
Creating Suitable Living Conditions for Pet Starlings
Caring for a pet starling is demanding but can be done properly by meeting their specialized needs:
- Very large outdoor aviary, preferably with a heated indoor area.
- Provide enrichment like toys, branches, baths.
- House singly or in mixed flocks with adequate space.
- Varied diet with pellets, fruits, vegetables, insects.
- Frequent veterinary checks for disease.
- Avoid imprinting on owners for normal behavior.
- Ensure secure housing that can’t be escaped from.
- Commitment to many hours of daily interaction.
European starlings are highly intelligent social birds that require ongoing time, effort and expense to care for responsibly. They have very specific needs that an owner must fully commit to long-term. Release is very unlikely to be a humane option if the starling’s needs can no longer be met.
Conclusion
In summary, it is legal to keep a European starling as a pet in most U.S. states with no permit required. However, capturing wild starlings is prohibited in all states except Tennessee and Wyoming which allow limited take. Several states require permits for captive starlings even if breeder-sourced to prevent accidental release of this damaging invasive species. Housing starlings as pets poses many challenges and ethical concerns that potential owners must seriously consider. Suitable large enclosures, an intricate diet, veterinary care and ongoing enrichment is imperative for starling welfare. Release of captive starlings is illegal and irresponsible in all states given their invasive biology. Knowledgeable owners who can fully commit to proper lifetime care are essential for any captive starling.