In 1994, there was an estimated population of 140 million birds. The greatest concentration of Starlings, in the United States, is in the Mid-West and along the Atlantic coast. In the fall and winter months, Starlings form huge, noisy, gregarious flocks in the Southern states. Starlings may form large single species flocks, or be part of immense flocks containing Starlings, several species of Blackbirds, common Grackles, and Cowbirds. Starlings are highly adaptive, and in time of food scarcity they will feed on almost anything, including garbage.
Starlings feed their young entirely on insects.
Starlings are also fond of earthworms. Starlings are a serious pest in grain-producing regions, due to their fondness for corn, wheat, milo, and other grains. Starlings can be very destructive to such agricultural crops as strawberries, blueberries, grapes, tomatoes, peaches, figs, apples, and cherries. They consume large quantities of livestock feed, and they can have a significant impact on the cost of dairy, egg and poultry production. Starlings will also pull up newly planted seeds, causing reduced yields.