That Bird Blog That Fish Place / That Pet Place Bird Blog
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Native North American birds are protected by federal law and may not be kept as pets in the USA. However, introduced species are not covered by this prohibition. The European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, one of our most common exotic birds, makes a most interesting pet. As responsive and intelligent as any parrot (and able to mimic words as well), Starlings are not for everyone…but in the right hands they have few equals.
An Interesting Alternative to Typical Pet Birds
Northern Cardinals, Painted Buntings and several otherUSnatives are popular in private collections in Europe, but are not legal to possess in theUSA. However, the unprotected European Starling offers a great opportunity to work with a species that is very different from most available in the pet trade. Without fail, it becomes more “pet” than “cage bird”. Please check your state’s laws before considering a Starling, as permits may be required.
Unexpected Talents
I first became aware of the Starling’s pet potential while visiting the AmericanMuseumof Natural History as a boy. While peering into a terrarium in small room that housed live exhibits, I was startled by a flurry of words that seemed to come from a bird. But there was no parrot in sight, only a glossy, pert Starling that occupied a huge cage across the room. Walking towards him, I was greeted by a cheerful “Hello”.
It turns out that European Starlings are in the same family (Sturnidae) as that famous mimic the Indian Hill Myna, and are very adept at learning words and sounds. A number of other relatives are popular in zoos and private collections; two of my favorites are the Glossy Starling and the Violet-Backed Starling (Please see article below).
An Amazing Colonizer
The European Starling has an interesting history in the USA. Eugene Schiffelin, a Shakespeare fanatic, was intent on establishing all birds mentioned in the great playwright’s works here in the USA. In 1890-91 he and released 60-100 European Starlings in Central Park. By 1950, Starlings were established from coast to coast and from southern Canada to northern Mexico…all, apparently, descended from Schiffelin’s original birds!
Introduced Starlings have wrought ecological havoc here and elsewhere. They are hole nesters, and far more aggressive than Bluebirds, Woodpeckers and many other species that need similar breeding sites. Nest holes are a rare commodity, and by commandeering them (and eating eggs), Starlings have placed several native species at risk. Despite their Latin name – vulgaris – Starlings were much valued by European farmers for their insect-eating ways.
Is a Starling for You?
Most pet Starlings start out as youngsters that have fallen from the nest. If you find such a bird, it’s important to bear in mind that a hand-raised Starling cannot be released, may live over 20 years, and needs much more room than most folks can supply. Referral to a wildlife rehabilitator is usually the best option.
Housing
Hand-reared Starlings bond strongly to people, and need a good deal of attention. Daily out-of-cage time is essential. They may be housed in a very large parrot cage, but an aviary or modified room is preferable.
Tame Starlings are best kept in an area where they can observe the goings-on of people…they seem to take an interest in everything from TV’s to phone conversations. Toys, leaves to shred and similar distractions are absolutely essential.
Diet
Although extremely adaptable, Starlings are largely carnivorous, with the bulk of the natural diet being insects. Small lizards, frogs and bird eggs are also taken, and they gorge upon certain fruits when available. Captives will refuse little, but a carefully-monitored diet is essential for their long-term well-being.
A mix of soaked dog chow, chicken layer mash and Softbill Pellets works well as a base diet. Live and canned insects, cooked meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables should be provided on a regular basis. Please write in for more details on their care and breeding.
Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.
Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Further Reading
Video: talking, singing Starling
Starling Central: captive care
Starlings Know When they are Being Watched
European Starling image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by PaulLomax
Violet backed Starling and Glossy Starling images referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Doug Janson
Thanks for writing this! I have had 2 starlings for 6 years. They talk and sing and bathe in the bathtub every day. I raised them after they were going to be euthanized at a wild bird rescue. Because of the overpopulation they are not always rehabilitated as other birds. One year my birds build a nest out of trash and laid two eggs. Starlings are a real challenge to care for as they are messy eaters and very needy. I wonder if they are being bred in captivity?
Hello April, Frank Indiviglio here.
Thanks for the kind words and your interesting observations; glad to hear of your success. True, they are not easy pets…thanks for the feeding reminder – I should have mentioned they their eating habits resemble a food fight between a group of toddlers!
Recently I ran across a commercial softbill breeder (Calif?) who was offering hand-raised youngsters ($300 or so!); first time I’d seen that. I and former co-workers bred them years ago as a “test species” for some rare SE Asian relatives.
Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
Thank you Frank for this wonderful article and to April for taking in the 2 Starlings. I really like Starlings and they are always welcome at my bird feeders.
Hello Melissa, Frank Indiviglio here.
Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated. I look forward to any observations or comments you might like to post in the future.
Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
Thank you so much, Frank, for responding to my emails about my dilemma with the starling I rescued. Your input helped me to decide to try the Rehab Center one more time. When I called the last time I was told that they would take the young starling that I had hand raised and would attempt to release it with other starlings. If they feel he is too tame, they will place him in a home with a staff member that already has a pet starling.
Starlings are wonderful birds and would make a great pet. But, their person has to have plenty of time and space. They are attached to people and want lots of attention. Mine, Chirpee, would actually peck get mad when I had to leave the room. They are very vocal!! Anyway, I really miss the little fellow, but I feel like I’ve given him a chance to be wild, which is what I intended when I found him abandoned.
I’ll let everyone know his fate when the Center lets me know.
Hi Betsy,
Nice to hear from you; thanks so much for related your most interesting experience. I think you’ve made the best choice, although I know it was difficult. There’s a good chance the starling will adapt be releasable in time. They are the very definition of adaptability…after all, every individual in the continental US, Canada and Mexico likely sprang from a small group released in Central Park years ago! If the bird cannot be released, then a situation where contact with another would be ideal; they are quite social and very active; few people have the time, space and ability to keep a single bird occupied for their quite long lifespan.
Please keep me posted, Best, Frank
Wanted to let you know that the starling is doing very well at the Wildlife Center!!! He apparently bonded to me and not people in general as he doesn’t want to be handled. He is eating on his own and associating with other starlings. The center director feels he will be successfully released in a couple of weeks. Thank you Frank!!!
Hi Besy,
Thanks very much for letting me know…nice to have some good news! I’ll pass along your experiences to others, pl keep me posted, Best, Frank
Thank you so much for this article! I rescued my European Starling about 2 years ago. I had found her in the parking lot of my work when she was about a week old. I tried to get the conservation center to rescue her, but as soon as they identified her as an European Starling they told me to put her back or humanely euthanize her since she was an invasive species. I knew then that I had a new friend. She is such a great pet and very vocal. She hasn’t started to talk yet, but she mimics my whistling patterns all the time! I hope more people read your article and realize how great European Starlings can be as pets and make them no longer look at them as just pests!
Hi Emily,
Thanks so much for the kind words. They really are remarkable birds, glad you are discovering that. Unfortunately, they have displaced a number of native species (esp. those that require tree cavities and similar situations as nesting sites) so rehabbers etc. are not encouraged to work with them. Within their native range, they are often held in high regard due to their capacity for controlling injurious insects (there’s a statue somewhere, “thanking ” them for averting a crop disaster after a locust infestation) bit are considered crop pests in some regions as well.
Enjoy and please keep me posted, would be great to have updates to share with others, Best., Frank
I’ve observed a European Starling flock eat Brown Marmorated Stinkbugs. That should earn them some respect!
That’s news to me…thanks for that info! Nest boxes have been erected in parts of eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union to encourage them, due to their appetite for insect pests.nd they are credited for halting locust plagues in some areas..
Best, Frank