Breeding Common starling

five eggs in nest



eggs, collection museum wiesbaden, germany



chicks waiting fed @ entrance of nest made in gap in wall in galway, ireland

breeding takes place during spring , summer. following copulation, female lays eggs on daily basis on period of several days. if egg lost during time, lay replace it. there 4 or 5 eggs ovoid in shape , pale blue or white, , commonly have glossy appearance. colour of eggs seems have evolved through relatively visibility of blue @ low light levels. egg size 26.5–34.5 mm (1.04–1.36 in) in length , 20.0–22.5 mm (0.79–0.89 in) in maximum diameter.

incubation lasts thirteen days, although last egg laid may take 24 hours longer first hatch. both parents share responsibility of brooding eggs, female spends more time incubating them male, , parent @ night when male returns communal roost. young born blind , naked. develop light fluffy down within 7 days of hatching , can see within 9 days. once chicks able regulate body temperature, 6 days after hatching, adults largely cease removing droppings nest. prior that, fouling wet both chicks plumage , nest material, thereby reducing effectiveness insulation , increasing risk of chilling hatchlings. nestlings remain in nest 3 weeks, fed continuously both parents. fledglings continue fed parents 1 or 2 weeks. pair can raise 3 broods per year, reusing , relining same nest, although 2 broods typical, or 1 north of 48°n. within 2 months, juveniles have moulted , gained first basic plumage. acquire adult plumage following year. other passerines, nest kept clean , chicks faecal sacs removed adults.

intraspecific brood parasites common in common starling nests. female floaters (unpaired females during breeding season) present in colonies lay eggs in pair s nest. fledglings have been reported invade own or neighbouring nests , evict new brood. common starling nests have 48% 79% rate of successful fledging, although 20% of nestlings survive breeding age; adult survival rate closer 60%. average life span 2–3 years, longevity record of 22 yr 11 m.