
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds belonging to the family Sturnidae, which includes 128 species across 36 genera. The common starling and common myna are well-known representatives. They are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, northern Australia, and the tropical Pacific, while some species have been introduced to North America and New Zealand.
Starlings have strong feet and direct flight, often inhabiting open areas where they primarily eat insects and fruit, displaying omnivorous behavior in human habitats. They possess dark plumage with a metallic sheen and nest in holes, laying blue or white eggs.
Social by nature, starlings often flock together, exhibiting murmurations and roosting in large numbers during nonbreeding seasons. They are skilled mimics, imitating various sounds, including human speech. Their diet mainly consists of fruits and insects, making them important seed dispersers in their ecosystems.