The European starling is a very common bird found throughout much of Europe, parts of Asia, and introduced to North America, South Africa, and Australia. It’s known for its dark plumage that has an iridescent sheen and spotted pattern. However, there are some similar looking birds that could potentially be confused with the European starling at first glance.
Identification Features of the European Starling
Let’s first go over some of the key identification features of the European starling:
- Size: About 8 inches in length
- Shape: Stocky, short-tailed bird
- Plumage: Dark iridescent body with white speckles. The tips of the feathers are light brown giving it a spotted appearance.
- Bill: Yellow during breeding season, otherwise dark gray or black
- Legs: Reddish-pink
- Songs and Calls: A variety of melodious whistles, clicks, and rattles
The starling’s dark plumage with light speckles, short tail, and stocky shape help distinguish it from many other species. However, the bill color being mostly dark gray or black outside of breeding season is a key feature to note when trying to identify a starling.
Birds Commonly Confused with the Starling
There are a few species that are commonly mistaken for the European starling due to similarities in appearance and range overlap. Some key lookalikes include:
Common Myna
Like the starling, the common myna has dark plumage with white spotting. However, the common myna is native to southern Asia and has been introduced in parts of the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and various oceanic islands. It has a bright yellow bill and legs which helps differentiate it from the European starling.
Shiny Cowbird
The shiny cowbird is native to South America but has expanded its range into the Caribbean, Mexico, and southern Florida. The adult male is mostly black with an iridescent sheen on its body and has a short tail similar to a starling. However, it has a thicker, finch-like conical bill that is grayish-black. Females are brownish-gray. Their range is limited to southern Florida in the US.
Molothrus Cowbirds
There are several species of cowbirds in the genus Molothrus that are stocky blackbirds like the starling. They have short tails and strong legs like the starling. The bill shape is quite different though, being shorter and conical. In the US, the brown-headed cowbird has the broadest overlap in range with the starling. However, the pointed bill and male’s brown head help distinguish it.
Blackbirds
Certain blackbird species like the red-winged blackbird have females and juveniles that are dark brown to black overall with light streaking similar to a starling. However, blackbirds have conical bills and long, pointed tails which help differentiate them. Males are also usually more boldly patterned than juveniles and females.
Bird Species with Dark Beaks
While many of the starling lookalikes have lighter colored or yellow bills, there are some species that also have dark-colored beaks that could cause confusion with the starling.
Common Grackle
The common grackle overlaps widely in range with the starling in North America. Males have very dark, iridescent bodies that can appear similar to a starling in poor light. However, grackles are larger with longer legs and a longer tail. The bill of an adult male grackle is also much longer than a starling’s bill.
Boat-tailed Grackle
Found in coastal areas of the southeast US, boat-tailed grackles also have glossy black plumage like a starling. Their long tails and large bill are key differences. Females are dark brown rather than iridescent black.
Brewer’s Blackbird
Males are all black with an iridescent body and yellow eyes. Females are darker brown rather than black. Their large bill and long tail distinguish them from starlings, but female Brewer’s blackbirds could potentially cause confusion at first glance.
Rusty Blackbird
Rusty blackbirds are medium-sized blackbirds with black feathers edged in gray giving them a scaled appearance. Their yellow eyes and black bill could potentially cause confusion with starlings. However, they have alonger tail and a distinctive rusty color on the shoulders of breeding males.
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Males are black with striking yellow heads and breasts, while females are brown. Their black bills and voices calls somewhat resemble starlings, but they are much larger birds with longer tails and have different range and habitat than starlings.
The Answer
After reviewing similar species, the bird that best matches the description of looking like a starling but having a black beak year-round is the common myna.
Here are some key reasons why the myna is the best match:
- Plumage is dark blackish-brown with white spotting like a starling
- Stocky, short-tailed shape like a starling
- Native to Asia but introduced populations overlap in range with starlings
- Bill is yellow on juveniles but becomes solid black on adults
The common myna’s plumage pattern, body shape, and overlap in introduced range make it appear nearly identical to a starling when seen from a distance. The black bill that develops as it matures is a defining feature that separates it from juvenile starlings which always have yellow bills. No other species has such close resemblance in overall appearance.
Other species may match one or two features of the starling, such as coloration, short tail, or black bill. But the common myna is the only species that shares all the starling’s main identification features plus a black bill, making it a case of mistaken starling identity to the unaware observer.
Summary of Key Points
- European starlings have dark iridescent plumage with white spots, making identification tricky when similar looking birds are present.
- The starling’s bill is yellow in the spring but becomes dark colored the rest of the year which is an important identifying feature.
- Species often confused with the starling include blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, and the introduced common myna.
- The common myna matches the starling’s overall profile of size and shape, plumage pattern, range overlap, and a black bill making it the species that best fits the original question.
How to Distinguish European Starlings from Lookalike Species
When trying to identify a European starling, here are some tips on traits to pay attention to in order to rule out similar species:
Plumage Patterns
- European starlings appear speckled black and white. If the bird has obvious streaking or striping instead of speckles, it’s likely a different species.
- Shades of brown indicate a female red-winged blackbird or other marsh blackbird species.
- Bright red or yellow shoulders or wing patches rule out starling for species like red-winged blackbirds and meadowlarks.
- Distinctive head patterns like a pale brown head on brown-headed cowbirds or striking yellow head in yellow-headed blackbirds exclude starling.
Bill Shape
- Starlings have short, triangular bills. Long, conical shaped bills indicate grackles, cowbirds, blackbirds.
- Thick, rounded, finch-like bills indicate non-blackbird species like cowbirds and mynas.
Tail Length
- Starlings have very short, almost clipped tails. Longer, pointed tails rule out starlings.
Legs and Feet
- Pale yellow legs indicate bobolinks, meadowlarks, or grackles instead of the pink legs of starlings.
- Long legs indicate wading birds like black-crowned night herons which are much larger than starlings.
- Webbed feet indicate non-songbird species like ducks or black skimmers.
Behavior
- Gregarious flocks in flight, at feeders, or on lawns are a starling trait.
- Walking on the ground indicates meadowlarks, bobolinks, or other terrestrial species.
- Wading in water indicates blackbirds or grackles foraging at marsh edges.
Range and Habitat
- Focus on starling range. Species limited only to the far southern US like great-tailed grackles can be ruled out.
- Tropical species like shiny cowbirds only occur in Florida and are unlikely to overlap with starlings.
- Desert and chaparral species like Phainopepla only occur in the southwest deserts, outside the starling’s range.
Benefits of Correctly Identifying Starlings
Being able to confidently identify European starlings is useful for several reasons:
Monitoring Invasive Populations
European starlings are an introduced, invasive species in North America that compete with many native cavity-nesting birds. Tracking starling populations and their movements helps manage their spread and impact.
Population Surveys
Starlings are common species included in many bird population surveys and wildlife studies. Proper identification allows their numbers and ranges to be tracked accurately.
Protecting Agriculture
Starlings cause extensive damage to agriculture by eating cultivated fruits and grains. Control methods can target starlings specifically if identification is certain.
Avoiding Misidentification of Native Species
Rare bird sightings or geographic expansions need to be carefully verified. Correct identification ensures rare species records like yellow-headed blackbirds are legitimate.
Appreciating Species Diversity
Careful ID allows appreciation of the array of starling relatives and lookalikes. Each has different traits, behaviors, songs, and place in the ecosystem.
Techniques and Tools for Identification
Using some basic observation techniques and tools can improve identification skills:
Scope Out Key Features
Train binoculars or a spotting scope on key features like bill and plumage patterns to make proper comparisons.
Compare Vocalizations
Listen and learn each species’ distinctive calls, songs, and mimicry abilities.
Use Field Guides
Consult guides with detailed species accounts, range maps, and comparative illustrations.
Note Habitats
Consider the habitats the bird is observed in as it narrows possibilities.
Examine Specimen Photos
Compare photos of specimens showing precise plumage, bill shape, etc.
Record Observations
Keep notes, sketches, photos or recordings to review or share sightings with experts.
Practice Identification Routines
Regularly challenge identification skills by carefully working through possible species.
Conclusion
There are a number of species that could be mistaken for the European starling at first glance. But using a systematic approach that compares key features like plumage patterns, bill and tail shape, behavior, range, and vocalizations allows observers to confidently distinguish starlings from similar blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds, and mynas. Mastering starling identification helps track populations, reduces impacts on native species, and contributes to enjoyment of avian diversity wherever starlings occur.