The bill is yellow and the legs are a dull red. European starlings have a straight, pointed bill which is not robust or conical as it is in blackbirds, but long and flat. The tail is short and square, the body is stocky, and the wings are short, broad-based, and pointed. European starlings are among the most successful of North American invaders. Males establish territories and attract females through song and display.
Females participate in nest building.
Wingspan is about 387.5 mm. This species naturally occurs in western and central Europe, breeding from Norway and northern Russia, south to France and Italy. These 100 starlings rapidly multiplied and expanded their range in all directions. By 1917 stray specimens were reported in Savannah, Georgia. Nesting was first reported at Anniston and Auburn in 1930.