Wildlife

Starling: Murmurations and the Welfare of a Declining Species

Famous for spectacular murmurations, starlings have declined by 80 percent in the UK since the mid-1970s.

Key Facts

UK starling populations fell by 80 percent between 1967 and 2015
They form spectacular murmurations of thousands to millions of birds in winter
Starlings use probing with their bills to find soil invertebrates especially leatherjackets
They can mimic the calls of other bird species and even mechanical sounds
Starlings nest in holes and cavities often in buildings and old trees

Welfare Considerations

Starlings have been severely affected by loss of permanent pasture and the intensification of grassland management that reduces leatherjacket prey. Loss of nest sites through building maintenance and renovation reduces breeding success. Cold winters can cause mass starvation when soil invertebrates are unavailable. Urban birds face additional hazards from traffic and window strikes.

What You Can Do

Maintain areas of rough permanent grassland that support soil invertebrate populations
Install starling nest boxes in gardens and on buildings
Support agri-environment payments that fund permanent grassland retention
Participate in RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch to track garden starling numbers
Avoid using pesticides that target leatherjackets and other soil invertebrates