The European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris (U.K.: Starling)
The perspective in the United States: an invasive species originally released in Central Park, New York City in the early 1890s. Since the initial release the species has spread across the entire mainland United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is posited by many to pose a severe threat to many cavity nesting birds with whom it competes for nesting sites. As it nests earlier than native species and can also double clutch, it is highly successful at outcompeting native species, especially sapsuckers.
The perspective in the United Kingdom: a highly adaptable species native to the region. Originally limited in their distribution, they began expanding their range in the 1830s but since the 1960s they have been experiencing noted population declines across the U.K. and mainland Europe. The British Trust for Ornithology reports that since the 1970s Starling populations have declined by 66% in Britain and the species is now red listed as a bird of high conservation concern.
Why the briefs on the natural history of the European Starling in two different nations? Two reasons really. First, to bring attention to the idea that the conservation of birds can take on dramatically different perspectives depending upon where the species in question is being considered. The invasive pest of the United States is the red listed bird declining in numbers in the U.K., just as the Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis, quite innocuous in the U.S. is problematic as an introduced species in Europe due to its hybridizing with the native and now red listed White-headed Duck, Oxyura leucocephala.
Second, to point out a recent conundrum I encountered with the receipt of the most recent package containing the latest releases of collectible pin badges from my friend Mark at the RSPB. Aside from one of a Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus, another of a Red Kite, Milvus milvus, and a third of a Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrines, was a superbly designed image of a Starling (U.S.: European Starling). The pin is beautiful, quite possibly the finest image of any bird produced in the history of the RSPB collection. My quandary is that as a U.S. based bird watcher, can I wear a pin depicting this bête noir species without risking being stoned by other bird watchers?
The question is somewhat facetious – of course I will wear it. I support conservation projects of birds, as well as other species, internationally and would welcome the opportunity to use any questions about the pin to help explain what I’ve just explained already. If anyone else would like to obtain one of these potentially controversial pin badges and stir up a little trouble themselves, or simply make a donation and acquire any of the other species depicted in the RSPB’s pin badge range, just send a message to Mark Weston at the RSPB and he will certainly be able to help you pin one on for yourself.
Peace and good bird watching.
