Starlings also have a visual capacity that is thought to have evolved along with their special beak. As the bill opens, the eyes move forward toward each other, creating a binocular-type vision. This vision advantage allows starlings to find food more easily and also effectively evade predators. During nesting, starlings are attentive and protective parents. They're also much hardier than other bird species.
Starlings can withstand heavy mite infestations in their nesting site without harm.
Some starlings even line their nests with foliage that has insect-repellant properties. Shrewd nesting techniques translates to successful reproduction-and as many birders have ruefully observed, starlings are prolific breeders, sometimes producing two or even three broods in one season. Even starlings who can't locate and retain a nest site are able to reproduce. In the absence of her own nest, a female 'floater' may slip her egg into another starling's nest. Because most birds can't tell their eggs from those of another bird, the unknowing adoptive parents go on to hatch the chick and raise it as if it were their own.