European Starlings in America: Innocents Abroad or Lord of the Flies?

In my last post, I mentioned seeing a mysterious new species of bird at my feeders.  On further research, I discovered that they are European (English) Starlings.  And wouldn't you know, they are here because of the famous Englishman William Shakespeare and an infamous American Eugene Schieffelin, a gentleman who, in the name of art, tampered with nature and caused a major disaster. 

Apparently as president of the American Acclimatization Society, Schieffelin came up with the brilliant idea of introducing to America every bird species mentioned in the works of the great bard.  In 1890, he released about 60 starlings to Central Park--and there are now somewhere between 140-200 million!

According to an article on "invasive species" (which says it all), "Starlings are among the worst nuisance species in North America. The birds travel in enormous flocks; pose danger to air travel; disrupt farms; displace native birds; and roost on city blocks. Corrosive droppings on structures cause hundreds of millions of dollars of yearly damage. In 2008 the U.S. government poisoned, shot or trapped 1.7 million, the most of any nuisance species."   

^{http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/eurostarling.shtml}  

Welcome to America! 

Actually, if you think about it, they do exemplfy the American Dream.  Wrenched from their homeland and plucked down in the heart of New York, they have managed to survive and thrive from sea to shining sea.  They are driven and determined little creatures, letting nothing, not even the U.S. government, get in their way.  

So it is no surprise that even on the foggiest, windiest day up here in the San Bernardino Mountains, in the pouring rain, with temperatures close to freezing and soon to bring snow, these hardy birds were the only ones at my feeders a few weeks ago, polishing off what seed was left. 

I do admire their pluck and tenacity though their fierce spirit can be intimidating.  I can't help but wonder if their ancesters in Europe were quite as intense or if this is a result of assimilation in America.

Perhaps it's time for a name change?   This new species of  European Starlings might be more appropriately known as  American Starlings.  What do you think?

For more information:
http://natureali.org/european_starling.htm
http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/EuropeanStarlings.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Starling

Feed Them and They Will Come or Lakeview Dining Open Year Round

                                
My last blog ended with my questioning what birds, if any, would stick around once winter set in.  I got my answer just last week!  On November 4th we had our first snow--just a couple of inches, but enough to give us a taste of winter, and enough for me to learn about our birds' migrating habits.

And what I learned was that if you continue to put food out for them, they will stick around.  In fact they will throng to your feeders and eat together, or should I say elbow each other aside for the best seat.  No more pecking order, unless something really large, like a raven or a band-collared pigeon swoops down, but generally they eat side by side. 

Northern Flicker with a Purple Finch

Mountain Chickadees and Finches

Lesser Goldfinch with Flicker

Even my tiny Lesser Goldfinches returned to the wind socks

 and if you look at the hummingbird feeder to the right of the water bowl, you will see a hummingbird  perched on the side.  In fact, I have never seen so many hummingbirds at this feeder since the weather turned.   Now that there are no flowers to feed from, I guess they'll be coming here.

This little one tried to get a drink from the frozen bowl of ice, then hopped down to the snow below and pecked away at that.

Since then, my husband and I take turns chopping through the ice in the bowl if it's just the top layer or adding warm water to melt it.

I talked to a few locals who are knowledgable about birds and asked if I am putting my birds in danger by providing food when the temperatures dip below freezing.  All reassured me that they wouldn't stay if they couldn't survive, plus they are just a day's flight or less down the mountain to warmer climate. Just when I thought I'd be spending less money on bird food each month, I am buying more.  I now have more birds than ever!

...and even a few  newcomers.   I am not sure what this bird is, although I'm wondering if it's a young Northern Flicker.  Does anyone out there know?  I've looked through my books and can't find it.  It does resemble the flicker a bit and as my husband pointed out, the tail feathers don't look fully developed. 

All I know is that they come in small groups daily.

                                                                                                 
I am curious to see if they will all continue to enjoy fine dining at my lake view restaurant once winter really settles in.  We'll soon see.