Hooligans at Home!

[Diane E]

I've not uploaded a picture yet, so just thought I'd have a go! If it works, here are some pictures of the some of the starlings (not all of them by any means!) which frequent my garden. Doing what they like to do best - eating, having a bath and devising ever more gymnastical ways to get to the feeders....

I was not so keen when they all first started coming to the garden - I was a bit overwhelmed to be honest! - but now we've got used to each other I think they are terrific. My Dad and Brother may have some conventionally 'prettier' birds in their gardens but for entertainment value my gang cannot be beaten. They are guaranteed to make you smile....

(PS. If the pictures don't appear, will someone help me please!)

[Chalk Downlanders]

They are fun. i have a gang of "The Boys" desend on my feeders every now and then. They eat everything, but they are fun

Kev

[Ollie]

I have these guys visit my feeders Diane, and although they are greedy and squabble somewhat their antics are definitely entertaining often providing some great photo oportunities
Roger

[nicole]

heehee I liked looking at your pics Diane. Starlings are such cheeky little monkeys

[May]

How lovely .. they're wondeerful to watch bathing!

[Diane E]

Thank you for that.

I have heard that starlings are very good mimics. Do your starlings make any funny noises?

When I get too near to mine (to do something in the garden) they fly off and sit on the fence, looking at me and making funny noises protesting at being disturbed. It sounds for all the world like they are blowing raspberries at me.

And, sometimes when they are feeding on the ground, one flies in and perches high up on the feeder and seems to make a sound like a magpie chattering - which spooks the rest and they fly off. The lone starling then jumps down and gobbles up the food in peace. Almost like he/she is playing a trick on the rest of the gang. That sounds too far fetched to be what's happening, doesn't it?

[nightshade]

Starlings are so interesting(I prefer sparrows) their colours and have you ever noticed the beaks? there are the long curved ones,the long pointed and a shorter more finch like beak(but still relatively long)
One lot goes for the feeders stouter beaks,the others for the lawn long curved beaks and more for the borders the straightstandard beak
They are also great mimics,I always whistled to my cats at feeding times from when they were kittens so even as adults they would come when I called
There is still a starling in the area that does the whistle along with a noise like a diesel engine(railway engine) ,and a trimphone car alarms etc.they must be passed down the generations
Very interesting birds if you take the time to look and listen

[Diane E]

Different shaped beaks! No, I have never noticed. Thanks for saying, I will definately look today.

I have read that you can tell the difference between male and female by the colour at the base of the beak - blue for boys, pink for girls. But I have looked and looked through my binoculars and haven't been able to see the difference. Has anyone else?