Are European Starlings Invasive? (Problems, Control + FAQs)

European starling (sturgeon) is a widespread songbird in the heronidae family. These clever birds are native to the UK and Europe, most of Asia and North Africa.

Misguided bird lovers introduced starlings to the United States in the late 1800s, and they’ve spread rapidly since then. So is the European mynah an invasive species?

European mynahs are invasive in the United States and other parts of the world, where they have been introduced outside their natural range. They have spread across the United States and are considered pests for the damage they cause to food crops, homes and native birds.

European starlings get a lot of bad press in the United States. However, they are a natural part of the UK ecosystem and part of their native range.

There, they are popular with both bird watchers and nature lovers, but are often a nuisance when nesting in urban areas.

Read on to learn why starlings have such a bad reputation and what you can do to stop them if they invade where you live.

Close-up of a calling mynah

Why are starlings aggressive?

Starlings are invasive in the United States because the country offers them abundant feeding and nesting opportunities with minimal competition from the same species.

They were unable to reach the New World on their own, but once introduced, they quickly took advantage of increasing farmland and suburban development.

Mynahs live with humans, feed on crops and livestock food, and nest in cavities in houses and other structures. They found great opportunity in the New World and in many other places around the globe to which they were introduced.

Starlings are thriving outside their native range, but is that really a bad thing? Read on to learn how the European starling can do its damage.

Starlings are able to eat and build nests with minimal competition from their species

Why are starlings considered a problem?

Starlings are problematic animals in the United States because they out-compete native birds and destroy food crops. Their nesting habits can also be a nuisance to homeowners and building managers.

The damage they do can be more than just a nuisance. The mess left behind in habitats can pose a risk to human health, while nests in buildings can pose fire and ventilation hazards.

Are starlings a pest?

Starlings are considered a pest outside of their native range. They cause economic damage, threaten native birds, and are a nuisance to homeowners.

Nesting European Mynah Gathering Material

Are Starlings a Threat to Other Birds?

Starlings threaten native birds that nest in American caves. They are aggressive while building their nests, breaking eggs, killing chicks, and even killing adults while they forcibly occupy the nest.

The following birds are common victims:

• oriental bluebird
• purple martins
• tree swallow
• north flicker
• red bellied woodpecker
• great crested flycatcher

Starlings are also aggressive around food sources, which can prevent native birds from foraging at backyard bird feeding stations.

Starlings threaten native birds that nest in US caves

What problems can starlings cause?

Starlings can cause many problems for humans and wildlife. Read on to learn more about the damage they cause:

people’s problems

• Starlings can be a major pest for fruit growers. These birds will eat grapes, peaches, tomatoes, strawberries, and many other fruit crops. They will also eat the shoots and seedlings of other crops.
• Starlings often nest in buildings, which can be unsightly and even dangerous. Nests in chimneys, for example, can start a fire and prevent dangerous carbon monoxide gas from escaping.
• Starlings roost in large numbers, and their feces can spread diseases such as histoplasmosis and salmonella. Their droppings can also corrode motor vehicles and infrastructure.

wildlife problem

• Starlings aggressively compete with native birds such as bluejays and woodpeckers for nest boxes and nests.
• They can destroy eggs and chicks, and even kill adult birds.
• European mynahs also exclude native birds as food sources.

Starlings can cause trouble for humans and wildlife

Are Starlings suitable to carry around?

Starlings are adorable birds that live in the countryside in their home country. Fascinating, these beautiful and intelligent birds, their whispers are one of nature’s great wonders. However, starlings are generally frowned upon in the United States and other parts of the world.

How can you get rid of starlings?

Starlings can be stopped in a number of ways. These birds are cave nesters, so close off any suitable nesting sites in your yard or around your house. They will use nest boxes with entrance openings of 1.5 inches (38 mm) or larger, so avoid leaving them outside, or be prepared to intervene if a mynah family moves in.

You can legally remove myna’s nest, eggs, and young from the nest box or elsewhere on your property in the United States. However, you must be absolutely sure that it is indeed a mynah’s nest, as all native species are protected.

Starlings are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders, but you can deter them by using “anti-starling” feeders. Cages surround these feeders and only smaller species are allowed in.

Birders can also deter starlings by offering foods they don’t like, such as nyjer seeds, whole peanuts, and nectar.

A pair of common starlings perched on a branch

Starling control method

There are many ways to control European starlings. These range from mild dissuasion to all-out war, and their application varies from case to case.

In the United States, authorized individuals use the following methods to control starlings:

harass

Starlings can be disturbed and discouraged when roosting at night. Workers shine laser light on roosting birds to prevent them from returning. Pyrotechnics are also used successfully.

habitat removal

Starlings often live in large numbers in reeds, trees, and other sheltered areas. Destroying habitat can be an effective way to control starlings in specific areas. It is also possible to deter starlings from perching on buildings and ledges by installing spike strips.

trap

Many different types of traps are effective in catching starlings. As always, caution is essential to avoid harming native species.

deadly method

Affected parties also shot starlings with insecticide. However, shooting isn’t particularly effective unless the bird population is low.

Common or European starling take off flight

Are starlings protected?

Starlings are not protected in the United States and do not enjoy federal protections. However, local regulations governing their control vary from state to state.

British starling populations have declined significantly since the 1970s. Sadly, they are listed as a red class protected species today. Starlings are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Why were starlings introduced to America?

We don’t know why starlings were introduced to America, although many believe they were brought from England as a romantic attempt to introduce all the birds mentioned in William Shakespeare’s works.

The location is Central Park, New York, and the time is 1890 and 1891. Many previous attempts failed until about a hundred birds were introduced and released under the supervision of Eugene Schieffelin, president of the American Domestication Society.