Starlings can imitate human speech like parrots

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Most of us know that the European starlings that are so routinely eradicated in bird control programs are non-native descendants of about 60 birds released in Central Park. In 1890, Shakespeare fancier Eugene Scheiffilin decided to introduce to North America every bird mentioned in Shakespeare. Notably, the starling mentioned in Henry IV (part I,3) was to be trained to speak:

Nay, I will; that’s flat:

He said he would not ransom Mortimer;
Forbad my tongue to speak of Mortimer;
But I will find him when he lies asleep,

And in his ear I’ll holla ‘Mortimer!’

Nay, I’ll have a starling shall be taught to speak
Nothing but ‘Mortimer,’ and give it him

To keep his anger still in motion.

Considered the “poor man’s mynah” the starling makes an incredible variety of sounds, and has the ability to imitate even more. One in our neighborhood does a convincing car alarm sound!

Here is a starling that can speak- note the eerie quality of the sound. (This is only one of many videos of talking starlings that can be found on youtube.)

Starlings are not considered to be anything but nuisance birds in the USA. They are not only not taken in by rehabilitators, but are not given any protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  (The only other birds also not protected are the house sparrow and the pigeon.) Their numbers in the UK are in decline.

Mozart kept a pet starling, that learned to mimic the theme from his Piano Concerto in G major. This starling can whistle Dixie!

Because immature starlings are difficult to distinguish from blackbirds and grackles, they are often blamed for the crop damage inflicted by other species. The starling is not a seed eater, preferring insects, yet it is often the target of depradation orders.

Excerpts from the US Department of Agriculture’s Farmer’s Bulletin no 1571:

Most of the starling’s habits are either beneficial to man or of an economically neutral character. Field observation has established the fact that the time spent by starlings in destroying crops or in molesting other species of birds is extremely short compared with the endless hours they spend searching for insects or feeding on wild fruits.

There is no question that the influence of the European Starling in the United States is beneficial. As a destroyer of such pests as the clover-leaf weevil, the Japanese beetle, May beetles, cutworms, and grasshoppers, it is even more energetic than some of our protected native birds

More about the benefits of starlings here


About Post Author

Carol Bell

Carol is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Her passion is journalism and it shows. Carol is our unpaid, but very efficient, administrative secretary.
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4 years ago

Who will write more clearly than you regarding these
things! I guarantee you, no one! I liked the article and assume you have more such material?
If yes, so please note it as it’s somewhat unusual for me at the
present instant, and not for me personally, that is my own view.
I personally can find an in-depth manual of yours and also be conscious of all of the news and the
latest data.

Arlena
9 years ago

A very nice article however a small part of it is actually incorrect. Many rehab people do in fact, still take in injured or abandoned baby starlings. I think that many times it is up the individual people who help care for animals, but many will offer to help, as they are still living creatures in need of assistance.
These birds can make excellent pets if someone is willing to make the lifelong commitment and be prepared to make their special food, which consists of a varied diet. Starlings are extremely intelligent and curious birds who bond closely to their owners. They are also very playful and can talk very well if someone takes the time out to teach them. Thanks for sharing the info.

oso
13 years ago

Wow MH! thanks for this.

13 years ago

I’d take a magpie over a starling hands down.

From Wikipedia-this is what we have here as well –
The Common Starling is an aggressive bird that displaces other hollow nesting, endemic Australian birds.[31] With so many of these native species already endangered, the starling poses a significant threat. They also pose a risk to the native and endemic Australian flora.

These birds are not welcome where I live and discouraged in the strongest of ways. I do not want this bird to keep away indigenous species and that’s what they do.

I’d be happy to have a conversation with a couple of these fellows but that’s not the way it works. You can not believe the numbers that can seen in even a small grove.

I honestly believe that these birds can perform in air maneuvers that no other bird can.

Reply to  One Fly
13 years ago

Just as people from other countries can displace and destroy the native populations, animals can do the same. They are rightfully accused of killing nestlings of other birds, but they are also useful, bug-eating charmers.

I take an optimistic, multicultural approach to people, and to birds. We are stuck living with them so look on the bright side. Since we can’t go back in time and not bring them here in the first place, surely we can at least appreciate the good things they do, instead of demonizing them.

I’ll be posting ways to discourage nuisance birds (without killing them) soon.

Reply to  Mother Hen
13 years ago

Nothing is being demonized here. Please do not accuse me of that. Nature is not nice at times. Infestations of rodents,rattlesnakes and certain incests will not be discouraged. We do a lot to promote animal and bird life and have quite a bit of diversity on our property and in an area with marginal land and little water. Here at work we belong to the Audubon Society.

You watch these birds habits and one will quickly learn they do not feed close by. They are eating no insects close to where they nest.

I guess I will admit to being a racist when it comes to the Common Starling. These birds are a negative on the native species and propagate at a very fast rate of three hatches a year.

I want to know how to discourage bunches of these birds making their homes at my place so they can live at yours.
Please I am kidding and do want to know.

Reply to  One Fly
13 years ago

I wasn’t implying you in particular, as demonizing the species. I also do not disagree with your assessment that they are bad for native birds. But as for being bad for people, that is not really borne out by their behavior (unless you park under the wrong tree and take one in the eye).

They are more pestiferous in winter, when they flock and throng at feeders due to lack of insects.

And to continue the racism analogy, discouraging them from moving into your neighborhood is not the same as genocide. That is really my point.

Admin
13 years ago

I didn’t know they were so talented. I knew that some members of the Corvid family can imitate sounds and in some cases even master a limited vocabulary as in “quoth the raven ‘nevermore’.”

13 years ago

Wow! They really can make a wide variety of sounds. I had heard that crows can be made to talk but not Starlings. I have seen some begging for french fries at the local burger joint and they really seem smart.

13 years ago

Amazing. I had no idea starlings could talk or whistle Dixie! Just goes to show how unique all wildlife is and we should never think of any living thing as a pest.

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