North America Common starling

flock in napa valley, california

after 2 failed attempts, 60 common starlings released in 1890 new york s central park eugene schieffelin. president of american acclimatization society, tried introduce every bird species mentioned in works of william shakespeare north america. same date, portland song bird club released 35 pairs of common starlings in portland, oregon. these birds became established disappeared around 1902. common starlings reappeared in pacific northwest in mid-1940s , these birds descendants of 1890 central park introduction. original 60 birds have since swelled in number 150 million, occupying area extending southern canada , alaska central america.