They were observed in the midwest by 1930, in Colorado in 1939, and in California in 1942. The starling population in the United States has since grown to an estimated 140 million birds. Starlings are frequently considered pests because of the damage they cause, especially to agriculture and in urban roosts. This publication provides facts about starlings and methods to control their damage in agriculture. Starling Facts Figure 1.
Juveniles are pale brown to grey.
The tail is short, and the wings have a triangular shape when outstretched in flight. Starling flight is direct and swift, not rising and falling like many blackbirds. Foods - Starlings eat various foods, including fruits and seeds of both wild and cultivated varieties. Insects, especially white grubs in lawns or pastures, and other invertebrates total about half the diet overall, and are especially important during the spring breeding season. Starlings also eat livestock rations and food found in garbage during the winter.