Relationship with humans Common starling

1 relationship humans

1.1 benefits , problems
1.2 control
1.3 in science , culture

relationship humans
benefits , problems

congregating on wires in france



feeding on windfall apple

since common starlings eat insect pests such wireworms, considered beneficial in northern eurasia, , 1 of reasons given introducing birds elsewhere. around 25 million nest boxes erected species in former soviet union, , common starlings found effective in controlling grass grub costelytra zelandica in new zealand. original australian introduction facilitated provision of nest boxes insectivorous bird breed successfully, , in us, pest species, department of agriculture acknowledges vast numbers of insects consumed common starlings.

common starlings introduced areas such australia or north america, other members of genus absent, may affect native species through competition nest holes. in north america, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, purple martins , other swallows may affected. in australia, competitors nesting sites include crimson , eastern rosellas. role in decline of local native species , damages agriculture, common starling has been included in iucn list of world s 100 worst invasive species.

common starlings can eat , damage fruit in orchards such grapes, peaches, olives, currants , tomatoes or dig newly sown grain , sprouting crops. may eat animal feed , distribute seeds through droppings. in eastern australia, weeds bridal creeper, blackberry , boneseed thought have been spread common starlings. agricultural damage in estimated costing us$800 million annually. bird not considered damaging agriculture in south africa in united states.

the large size of flocks can cause problems. common starlings may sucked aircraft jet engines, 1 of worst instances of being incident in boston in 1960, when sixty-two people died after turboprop airliner flew flock , plummeted sea @ winthrop harbor.

starlings droppings can contain fungus histoplasma capsulatum, cause of histoplasmosis in humans. @ roosting sites fungus can thrive in accumulated droppings. there number of other infectious diseases can potentially transmitted common starlings humans, although potential birds spread infections may have been exaggerated.

control

because of damage do, there have been attempts control numbers of both native , introduced populations of common starlings. within natural breeding range, may affected legislation. example, in spain, species hunted commercially food item, , has close season, whereas in france, classed pest, , season in may killed covers greater part of year. in great britain starlings protected under wildlife , countryside act 1981, makes illegal intentionally kill, injure or take starling, or take, damage or destroy active nest or contents . wildlife order in northern ireland allows, general licence, authorised person control starlings prevent serious damage agriculture or preserve public health , safety . species migratory, birds involved in control measures may have come wide area , breeding populations may not affected. in europe, varying legislation , mobile populations mean control attempts may have limited long-term results. non-lethal techniques such scaring visual or auditory devices have temporary effect in case.

huge urban roosts in cities can create problems due noise , mess made , smell of droppings. in 1949, many birds landed on clock hands of london s big ben stopped, leading unsuccessful attempts disrupt roosts netting, repellent chemical on ledges , broadcasts of common starling alarm calls. entire episode of goon show in 1954 parody of futile efforts disrupt large common starling roosts in central london.

visiting bird feeder. adult has black beak in winter.

where introduced, common starling unprotected legislation, , extensive control plans may initiated. common starlings can prevented using nest boxes ensuring access holes smaller 1.5 in (38 mm) diameter need, , removal of perches discourages them visiting bird feeders.

western australia banned import of common starlings in 1895. new flocks arriving east routinely shot, while less cautious juveniles trapped , netted. new methods being developed, such tagging 1 bird , tracking establish other members of flock roost. technique analyse dna of australian common starling populations track migration eastern western australia occurring better preventive strategies can used. 2009, 300 common starlings left in western australia, , state committed further a$400,000 in year continue eradication programme.

in united states, common starlings exempt migratory bird treaty act, prohibits taking or killing of migratory birds. no permit required remove nests , eggs or kill juveniles or adults. research undertaken in 1966 identify suitable avicide both kill common starlings , readily eaten them. needed of low toxicity mammals , not cause death of pets ate dead birds. chemical best fitted these criteria drc-1339, marketed starlicide. in 2008, united states government poisoned, shot or trapped 1.7 million birds, largest number of nuisance species destroyed. in 2005, population in united states estimated @ 140 million birds, around 45% of global total of 310 million.

in science , culture

pet in cage

common starlings may kept pets or laboratory animals. austrian ethologist konrad lorenz wrote of them in book king solomon s ring poor man s dog , love , because nestlings obtained wild , after careful hand rearing straightforward after. adapt captivity, , thrive on diet of standard bird feed , mealworms. several birds may kept in same cage, , inquisitiveness makes them easy train or study. disadvantages messy , indiscriminate defecation habits , need take precautions against diseases may transmitted humans. laboratory bird, common starling second in numbers domestic pigeon.

the common starling s gift mimicry has long been recognised. in medieval welsh mabinogion, branwen tamed common starling, taught words , , sent across irish sea message brothers, bran , manawydan, sailed wales ireland rescue her. pliny elder claimed these birds taught speak whole sentences in latin , greek, , in henry iv, william shakespeare had hotspur declare king forbade tongue speak of mortimer. find him when asleep, , in ear ll holler mortimer! nay ll have starling shall taught speak nothing mortimer, , give him keep anger still in motion.

mozart s starling song

mozart had pet common starling sing part of piano concerto in g major (kv. 453). had bought shop after hearing sing phrase work wrote 6 weeks previously, had not yet been performed in public. became attached bird , arranged elaborate funeral when died 3 years later. has been suggested musical joke (k. 522) might written in comical, inconsequential style of starling s vocalisation. other people have owned common starlings report how adept @ picking phrases , expressions. words have no meaning starling, mix them or use them on humans inappropriate occasions in songs. ability @ mimicry great strangers have looked in vain human think have heard speak.

common starlings trapped food in mediterranean countries. meat tough , of low quality, casseroled or made pâté. 1 recipe said should stewed until tender, long may . when correctly prepared, may still seen acquired taste.