Biosecurity alert: Common starling

Page last updated: Monday, 25 November 2024 - 10:37am

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Mistaken identity

Differences to look for between the common starling and three similarly sized native species. (Source: Handbook of Western Australian Birds – Volumes 1 and 2, Johnstone and Storr, 1998; 2004 Western Australian Museum).

Common starling (photo by Blickwinkel/Alamy)

Common starling.

Appearance: length 19-22cm. Weight 38-80g. Plumpish or stocky, dark-coloured bird with a short square tail and a straight, pointed bill (see earlier discussion for more detailed description).

Key differences: Dark, stocky looking bird, usually seen in groups and often around livestock. Flies fast with rapid wing movements interspersed by short glides. Flocks are often seen wheeling and turning quickly in tight silent groups. This is one of the ways in which starlings can be recognised at a distance.

Dusky woodswallow (photo by Kevin Vang)

Dusky woodswallow.

Appearance: length 17-19cm. Weight 33-35g. Compact bird with dark, greyish-brown body. Chubbier looking than a starling with shorter legs and bill. The tail is long.

Key differences: Has obvious white edging to wings and tail. The bill is short and blackish in colour. Flight is graceful but rapid, interspersed with periods of gliding. Has a soft chi chi in-flight call. Often seen in communal huddles or side by side along a tree branch.

Yellow-throated miner (photo by Tony Crittenden)

Yellow-throated miner.

Appearance: length 23-27cm. Weight 53-61g. Medium-sized honeyeater. Mostly pale, grey-brown body with white rump and underparts. Has short, rounded wings and a longish tail.

Key differences: Noisy, gregarious and aggressive to other birds. Frequently visits water troughs to drink and bathe. Has bright yellow skin above and behind eye, the bill is also yellow. In flight, they usually follow each other in a line and do not form tight flocks like starlings do. Loud, harsh alarm call, tew-tew-tew or teu-teu-teu.

Purple-crowned lorikeet (photo by John Milbank)

Purple-crowned lorikeet.

Appearance: length 16-18cm. Weight 42-50g. Small green parrot (larger than a budgie) with largish head and a pointed, stubby tail. Has a small purple patch on crown and orange on forehead and cheeks.

Key differences: Usually only seen when flying in small-to-large flocks as not easily seen at close range. Flocks can resemble those of starlings in that these lorikeets fly and turn quickly in a tight group. They can be heard calling ‘zit’ or ‘tsit’ continuously when in flight (unlike starlings). Their flight is swift and direct with rapid, whirring wing beats.

Contact information

Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
+61 (0)8 9368 3080