{"id":55333,"date":"2000-06-30T10:35:09","date_gmt":"2000-06-30T00:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.barwonheads.golf\/cms\/?p=55333"},"modified":"2025-07-01T09:40:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T23:40:28","slug":"bird-of-the-month-july-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.barwonheads.golf\/cms\/bird-of-the-month-july-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Bird of the Month – July 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Common Starling \u2013 Sturnus vulgaris<\/em><\/h2>\n

By Robin Spry<\/p>\n

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This small to medium glossy black bird of agricultural areas, towns, and cities of South-east Australia is familiar and abundant. It has a sharp bill, flat crown, short tail, and an upright stance.<\/p>\n

They are gregarious and can be seen in flocks of up to 1000s in autumn-winter. Their group flying is spectacular and is called a murmuration. Each bird in a big flock only focusses on the four or five birds nearby so there are never any crashes.<\/p>\n

Fresh plumage in autumn results in a black body covered with white speckles which fade with wear to a more uniform black. An introduced bird, it is often seen singing from an exposed perch. They have a remarkable sequence of whistles and complex song including mimicry. It is worth googling \u201cstarling human mimicry\u201d to see them in action. They are considered a pest as they nest in building cavities and tree hollows. They can be very attractive in bright sunlight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Click images to enlarge.<\/p>\n\n\t\t